Martin Luther King Jr. Uses a New Approach to End Segregation - Free Essay Example

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist who lead the Civil Rights Movement, which was a movement in the United States from 1954 to 1968, whose goal was to end discrimination among blacks. Martin Luther King fought amongst other Civil Rights activists like Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Bob Dylan, Jesse Jackson, etc.. These activists have become historic heroes , specifically to the Civil Rights Movement and has made significant actions and have had great effect on improving circumstances for the black community, but Martin Luther Kings unique leadership and ambition to end legal segregation against blacks was fundamental and an essential component to the movements success. Dr. Martin Luther King Jrs reliance upon non violent actions to illustrate the mistreatment and oppression of blacks, demonstrates that he was essential to the success of the Civil Rights movement. In Martin Luther Kings infamous I Have a Dream Speech he states Im committed to nonviolence absolutely. Im just not going to kill anybody, whether its in Vietnam or here, I will continue to preach it and teach it.. I plan to stand by nonviolence because I have found it to be a philosophy of life that regulates not only my dealings in the struggle for racial justice, but also my dealings with people, with my own self. I will still be faithful to nonviolence. Martin Luther King was undoubtedly dedicated to nonviolent protests and riots. He believed that killing anybody, anywhere was and shouldnt be justified under any circumstances. Throughout his leadership, he relentlessly taught and addressed issues with nothing less than effective and beneficial speeches. He stood by nonviolence because he found it to be a notion of life that dealt with the black community and himself. Martin Luther King Jr was an essential component to the Civil Rights Movement because of his belief in civil disobedience. Furthermore, his impact on the movement is unparalleled due to the effectiveness of his public speeches, such as his I Have A Dream speech. Similarly, according to Donna Batten Kings passion for nonviolence and justice shaped his economic views as well. While he fought for economic security and prosperity for all, King understood that violence has been the inseparable twin of materialism, the hallmark of its grandeur and misery. He argued the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism were only capable of being conq uered when humanity evolved from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society.King was passionate about nonviolence and justice in the community helped to shape his economic perspective also. Although he fought for economic justice and ease for everyone, King had understood that materialism and violence had the same characteristics and that violence had been its emblem for heartache. He argued that the systematic racism and materialism were only able to be conquered when society emerged from a materialistic society. Martin Luther King was a fundamental element in the Civil Rights movement because of how devoted and faithful he continued to be to civil disobedience in the midst of the fight for justice and equal rights for the black community. Dr. Kings emphasis on non-violence as a strategy reached into other aspects of the Civil Rights movement as well, such as the Freedom Riders, therefore solidifying his significance in the movement. As stated in an article by Donna Batten The Freedom Rides were a type of nonviolent direct action designed to oppose segregation in interstate buses and bus stations. They were inspired in part by the 1960 Supreme Court decision Boynton v. Virginia, 364 U.S. 459, 81 S. Ct. 182, 5 L. Ed. 2d 206, which outlawed racial segregation in bus terminals and other places of public accommodation related to interstate transportation. Organized by CORE in 1961, the Freedom Rides were undertaken by six whites and seven blacks who rode two interstate buses from Washington, D.C., to New Orleans. Along the way, the riders deliberately violated segregation policies on the buses and in bus terminal rest rooms, waiting areas, and restaurants. The Freedom Riders were a kind of non belligerent group of black le aders designed to fight against systematic segregation and discrimination in interstate buses and bus stations in the community. They had been inspired by the Supreme Court decision in Boynton v. Virginia, which had prohibited segregation on buses and other places of public accommodation. In 1961, the Freedom Rides were tackled by 6 whites and 7 blacks who rode two interstate buses from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans. Meanwhile, the riders had knowingly violated segregation policies on the buses and in bus terminal restrooms, waiting areas, and restaurants. Dr. Kings civil disobedience behavior reached other international activist groups, who had made notably sufficient improvement in the fight for freedom for the African American community, which shows how important Martin Luther King and his firm reliance upon civil disobedience had been in the Civil Rights movement. Equivalently, as reported in another document by Donna Batten Although the 1961 Freedom Rides proceeded no farthe r than Jackson, Mississippi, they achieved their larger goal of inducing the federal government to enforce its laws. The administration of President Kennedy sent in U.S. marshals to protect the riders during the last part of their journey. An even clearer victory was achieved in September 1961 when the INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION abolished all segregated facilities in interstate transportation. Even though the 1961 Freedom Rides did not go any further than Mississippi, they produced an even bigger goal which included the federal government to enforce its laws. President Kennedy sent U.S. marshals to defend and look after the Freedom Riders during their final journey. An even bigger victory was obtained in 1969 when the ICC banned all segregated facilities in interstate transit. Dr. Martin Luther Kings leadership was a vital factor in the Civil Rights movement because the systematic segregation that had been integrated amongst the black community was gradually being banned because of Kings civil disobedience leadership influence upon the Freedom Riders and other international activist groups. Not only was his civil disobedience strategy impactful with the Freedom Riders, but was also an essential component to the success of Montgomery Bus Boycott. According to Don Cravens By the mid-1960s, the nature of the civil rights movement began to change. African Americans, who had been united in their support of activities such as the Montgomery bus boycott, began to diverge in their views over what political action should be taken to improve their situation. Members of different groups within the movement increasingly expressed their dissatisfaction with other groups. More radical groups, including the Black Muslims and black power proponents, voiced discontent with the limited goals of the civil rights movement and its advocacy of nonviolence. By the 1960s, the essence of the civil rights movement began to transform. African Americans had been undivided in their backing of activities like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and began to deviate in their perspective over what political op erations should be taken to revise their situation. Black Muslims and black power groups expressed their dissatisfaction with other groups. They also articulated discontent with narrow goals of the civil rights movement and its assistance of nonviolence. Martin Luther King changed the perspective of the Civil Rights movement by being committed to his civil disobedience leadership strategy and made prominent groups make enormous transformations as far as different approaches over what actions to take while fighting for equal rights in the black community. Likewise, according to Montgomery Bus Boycott by Don Cravens Martin Luther King Jr. achieved international recognition for his leadership of the boycott, earning particular admiration for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance. A group of southern black religious leaders who had given their support to the boycott met a few weeks after the boycott had ended and decided to establish a formal organization to coordinate civil rights effo rts throughout the South. They formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which went on to become one of the movements most visible and effective organizations. The SCLC elected King as its first president.MLK gained international recognition for his administration of the boycott, earning distinct applause for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance. Black leaders had given their full support to the boycott that MLK had started, soon after met to establish an organization to coordinate civil rights efforts throughout the South. They also formed one of the most visible and effective organizations in the Civil Rights movement. The movement elected Martin Luther King as their first president. King was responsible for making successful changes and influential groups that gained international recognition which made Martin Luther King leadership an essential component to the Civil Rights movement because of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and its successful impact upon the syste matic oppression and segregation. In addition to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Kings experience in Birmingham jail demonstrate his effectiveness in the Civil Rights movement. To give an example, K. Lee Lerner states Letter from a Birmingham Jail can be seen as one of the best justifications of nonviolence as a political strategy ever articulated. Influenced by Indian leader Mahatma Gandhis concept of satyagraha, King used love as the instrument to overthrow the violent hatred of white racists. In Birmingham, Connor was the violent racist. On May 2, hundreds of black schoolchildren, at the urging of the SCLC, marched from the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church into the arms of arresting officers. Within a week, more than 2,000 children were in police custody. Connor could not control his anger any longer. Under his command, the police turned German shepherds upon the protesters, in a scene that reminded many observers of Nazi Germany. The marchers who failed to disperse were then assaulted with high-pressure water hoses.T he infamous letter Letter from a Birmingham Jail is seen as one of the most outstanding justifications of nonviolence of a political strategy ever expressed. King was influenced by an Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, to abolish the violent hatred of racists and used love as an instrument to conquer. Martin Luther King showed the violence wasnt the only nor the right answer to gain civil rights for the black community and could be achieved through other ways like his leadership that contained nonviolence and effective outcomes which made him a necessary part of the Civil Rights movement. In agreement to K Lee Lerner, Government, politics, and protests states that The Birmingham campaign sealed Kings reputation as the outstanding moral and political leader of the Civil Rights Movement. His strategy of nonviolence had succeeded dramatically. He had turned civil rights into a national security concern. Although not the first black leader to advocate the philosophy of nonviolence, King was the first to implement it on a mass scale with evolutionary consequences The Birmingham campaign established MLKs reputation as the superior moral and political leader of the Civil Rights movement. His approach to the situation of the black community had succeeded tremendously. He revolved the civil rights into a national security concern. He wasnt the first to promote nonviolence, but King was the first to put it into action with revolutionary consequences. Martin Luther Kings prestige reputation leadership had turned the civil rights movement into something bigger than anyone could have envisioned. There were revolutionary improvement because of his unique approach to the civil rights movement. His leadership was influential and effective to reduce violent strategies and approach. Therefore, his leadership was an essential component to the civil rights movement. Besides Kings experience in Birmingham jail being able to demonstrate his effectiveness in the Civil Rights movement, prayer, was used throughout the Civil Rights Movement. Prayer before marches, speeches, and risky rallies was another way that Martin Luther King Jr was an essential part in the Civil Rights Movement. Michael Curtotti states that He drew on biblical precedents for civil disobedience to the law, on the ground that a higher moral law was at stake. Human rights, as he conceived them, do not depend on the decision of any human agency. As a consequence, they can never be overridden by any human decision. It is a perspective which in the final analysis places human rights beyond the reach of any tyrant, no matter how powerful, and beyond the reach of any rationalisation offered by the powerful that claims a justification for the oppression of human beings. Martin Luther King added biblical authority to the civil disobedience to the law. Human rights did not depend on the v erdict of any human agency. As a repercussion, they can never be overridden by any human decision. It was a view of which the final analysis places human right beyond the reach of any oppressor, no matter how powerful the person. Not only did he believe that the oppressor and systematic segregation be conquered by civil disobedience but through prayer also, his leadership was an effective component in the civil rights movement. Donna Batten in a article states that Prayer was a wellspring of strength and inspiration during the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout the movement, we prayed for greater human understanding. We prayed for the safety of our compatriots in the freedom struggle. We prayed for victory in our nonviolent protests, for brotherhood and sisterhood among people of all races, for reconciliation and the fulfillment of the Beloved Community.Martin Luther Kings prayer throughout the movement was a origin incentive. During the movement, the black community prayed for victo ry in protests and also prayed for unity of brotherhood and sisterhood among people of all ethnic backgrounds. In conclusion, during the Civil Rights movement, there was a tremendous amount of anger and desolation in the black community. The fight to end racial segregation and discrimination brought about countless numbers of destructive rampage and mass numbers of injuries and deaths in predominantly black neighborhoods. Dr. Martin Luther King believed that the key to alter and progressively make changes Prayer was believed to be a noteworthy element in the success of the Civil Rights movement but building strong relationships between those of the black community is important to make significant progress and Martin Luther King insisted on brotherhood, which made him an significant component to the success of the Civil Rights Movement. According to Martin Luther King in his American Dream speech All Im saying is simply this, that all life is interrelated. And we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny † whatever affects one directly, affec ts all indirectly. For some strange reason I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality. I think this is the first challenge and it is necessary to meet it in order to move on toward the realization of the American Dream, the dream of men of all races, creeds, national backgrounds, living together as brothers. MLK believes that, as brothers, whatever affects one person affects all. He believed that no one could be what they ought to be or live up to their full potential if there was no unity. All men of all races must come together as one, so that one could be what they ought to be. Brotherhood was believed to be one of the most effective strategies in the civil rights movement, as it was constantly used to form activist groups, riots, peaceful sit ins, and strikes. Martin Luther Kings belief in brotherhood was an essential component in the success of the civil rights movement. In accordance with Martin Luther King, the American Dream speech also states that Beyond the calling of race or nation or creed is this vocation of sonship and brotherhood. Because I believe that the Father is deeply concerned, especially for His suffering and helpless and outcast children, I come tonight to speak for them. This I believe to be the privilege and the burden of all of us who deem ourselves bound by allegiances and loyalties which are broader and deeper than nationalism and which go beyond our nations self-defined goals and positions. We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation, for those it calls enemy, for no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers.Martin Luther King believes that brotherhood was effective and made improvement in the process of trying to gain civil rights for the black community. In the black community was to participate in and construct non violent protests and speeches, being a social influence, writing letters that had effective results, christianity, and brotherhood which made Martin Luther King Jr. was an essential component in the success of the Civil Rights movement.

Plastic Waste Management - Free Essay Example

Plastic Waste Management 1. Plastics Waste: Environmental Issues and Challenges The quantum of solid waste is ever increasing due to increase in population, developmental activities, changes in life style, and socio-economic conditions, Plastics waste is a significant portion of the total municipal solid waste (MSW). It is estimated that approximately 10 thousand tons per day (TPD) of plastics waste is generated i. e. 9% of 1. 20 lacs TPD of MSW in the country. The plastics waste constitutes two major category of plastics; (i)Thermoplastics and (ii) Thermoset plastics. Thermoplastics, constitutes 80% and thermoset constitutes approximately 20% of total post-consumer plastics waste generated in India. The Thermoplastics are recyclable plastics which include; Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Low Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE), Poly Vinyl Chloride(PVC), High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene(PP), Polystyrene (PS) etc. Thermoset plastics contains alkyd, epoxy, ester, melamine formaldehyde, phenolic formaldehyde, silicon, urea formaldehyde, polyurethane, met alised and multilayer plastics etc. 2. HAZARDS OF THE PLASTIC WASTES The environmental hazards due to mismanagement of plastics waste include the following aspects: 1. Littered plastics spoils beauty of the city and choke drains and make important public places filthy; 2. Garbage containing plastics, when burnt may cause air pollution by emitting polluting gases; 3. Garbage mixed with plastics interferes in waste processing facilities and may also cause problems in landfill operations; 4. Recycling industries operating in non-conforming areas are posing unhygienic problems to the environment. . Main Features of the Plastics Manufacture and Usage (Amendment) Rules, 2003 Regulation of plastics waste, particularly manufacture and use of recycled plastics carry bags and containers is being regulated in the country as per Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 and as amended in 2003. According to these Rules: 3. 1. No person shall manufacture, stock, distribute or sell carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic bags which are less than 8 x 12 inches in size and having thickness less than 20 microns. . 2. No vendor shall use carry bags/containers made of recycled plastics for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging of food stuffs; 3. 3. Carry bags and containers made of recycled plastic and used for purposes other than storing and packaging food stuffs shall be manufactured using pigments and colorants as per IS 9833:1981 entitled â€Å"List of pigments and colorants for use in plastics in contact with food stuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water†. . 4. Recycling of plastics shall be undertaken strictly in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standard specification: IS 14534:1998 entitled â€Å"The Guidelines for Recycling of Plastics† 3. 5. Manufacturers of recycled plastic carry bags having printing facilities shall code/mark carry bags an d containers as per Bureau of Indian Standard specification: IS 14534:1998 (The Guidelines for Recycling of Plastics). 3. 6. No person shall manufacture carry bags or containers irrespective of its size or weight unless the occupier of the unit has registered the unit with respective SPCB/PCC prior to the commencement of production. 3. 7. The prescribed authority for enforcement of the provisions of these rules related to manufacturing and recycling is SPCB in respect of States and the PCC in Union Territories and for relating to use, collection, segregation, transportation and disposal shall be the District Collector/ Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district. . Options for Plastic Waste Management ?4. 1Recycling of plastics through environmentally sound manner: Recycling of plastics should be carried in such a manner to minimize the pollution during the process and as a result to enhance the efficiency of the process and conserve the energy. Plastics recycling technologies hav e been historically divided into four general types -primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary. Primary recycling involves processing of a waste/scrap into a product with characteristics similar to those of original product. Secondary recycling involves processing of waste/scrap plastics into materials that have characteristics different from those of original plastics product. Tertiary recycling involves the production of basic chemicals and fuels from plastics waste/scrap as part of the municipal waste stream or as a segregated waste. Quaternary recycling retrieves the energy content of waste/scrap plastics by burning / incineration. This process is not in use in India. 4. 2Steps Involved in the Recycling Process 4. 2. 1Selection: The recyclers / reprocessors have to select the waste / scrap which are suitable for recycling /reprocessing. . 2. 2Segregation: The plastics waste shall be segregated as per the Codes 1-7 mentioned in the BIS guidelines (IS:14534:1998). 4. 2. 3Process ing: After selection and segregation of the pre-consumer waste (factory waste) shall be directly recycled. The post consumer waste (used plastic waste) shall be washed, shredded, agglomerated, extruded and granulated. 5. Polymer Coated Bitumen Road The CPCB has undertaken a project in collaboration with Thiagarajar College of Engineering Madurai to evaluate the performance of polymer coated built roads laid during 2002-2006 in different cities. The observations are as below: 5. 1. The coating of plastics over aggregate improves Impact, Los Angels Abrasion and Crushing Value with the increase in the percentage of plastics. 5. 2. The extracted bitumen showed almost near value for Marshall stability. The entire road was having good skid resistance and texture values. 5. 3. All the stretches in the roads have been found reasonably strong. 5. 4. The unevenness index values of these roads are nearly 3000 mm/km, which indicate a good surface evenness. 5. 5. The plastic tar roads have not d eveloped any potholes, rutting, raveling or edge flaw, even though these roads are more than four years of age. 5. 6. Polymer coated aggregate bitumen mix performs well compared to polymer modified bitumen mix. 5. 7. Higher percentage of polymer coating improves the binding strength of the mix. 5. 8. Foam plastics have better binding values. 6. Plastics waste disposal through Plasma Pyrolysis Technology (PPT) Plasma Pyrolysis is a state of the art technology, which integrates the thermochemical properties of plasma with the pyrolysis process. The intense and versatile heat generation capabilities of PPT enable it to dispose off all types of plastic wastes including polymeric, biomedical and hazardous waste in a safe and reliable manner. 6. 1. Plasma Pyrolysis Technology In plasma pyrolysis, firstly the plastics waste is fed into the primary chamber at 8500C through a feeder. The waste material dissociates into carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, higher hydrocarbons etc. Induced draf t fan drains the pyrolysis gases as well as plastics waste into the secondary chamber, where these gases are combusted in the presence of excess air. The inflammable gases are ignited with high voltage spark. The secondary chamber temperature is maintained at around 10500 0C. The hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and hydrogen are combusted into safe carbon dioxide and water. The process conditions are maintained so that it eliminates the possibility of formation of toxic dioxins and furans molecules (in case of chlorinated waste). The conversion of organic waste into non toxic gases (CO2, H2O) is more than 99% . The extreme conditions of Plasma kill stable bacteria such as Bacillus stereothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis immediately. Segregation of the waste is not necessary, as very high temperatures ensure treatment of all types of waste without discrimination. The CPCB has initiated the study in association with Facilitation Centre for Industrial Plasma Technologies (FCIPT), Institut e of Plasma Research (IPR). The objectives of the study are to conduct performance study of the PPT on 15 kg/hr prototype demonstration system developed by FCIPT/ IPR for proper disposal of plastics waste and also monitor air quality parameters e. g. suspended particulate matter (SPM), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), benzene, dioxins, furans etc. ith regards to gaseous emissions. CPCB also proposes to undertake study on safe disposal of plastics waste using higher capacity (approx. 50 kg/hr) plasma pyrolysis system as in future and may set up prototype plasma pyrolysis plant on demonstration basis (15 kg/hr waste disposal capacity) at specific locations (hilly and pilgrimage) in consultation with State Government. 7. Conversion of Plastics waste into Liquid Fuel A research-cum-demonstration plant was set up at Nagpur, Maharashtra for conversion of waste plastics into liquid fuel. The process adopted is based on random de-polymerization of waste plastics into liquid fuel in presence of a catalyst. The entire process is undertaken in closed reactor vessel followed by condensation, if required. Waste plastics while heating upto 2700 0C to 30000 C convert into liquid-vapour state, which is collected in condensation chamber in the form of liquid fuel while the tarry liquid waste is topped-down from the heating reactor vessel. The organic gas is generated which is vented due to lack of storage facility. However, the gas can be used in dual fuel diesel-generator set for generation of electricity. The process includes the steps shown ahead: 7. 1Environment related observations during the process 1. There are no liquid industrial effluents and no floor washings as it is a dry process. 2. There are no organized stack and process emissions. 3. Odour of volatile organics has been experienced in the processing area due to some leakages or lack of proper sealing 4. Absolute conversion of liquid-vapour was not possible into liquid, some portion of gas (about 20%) is connected to the generator. However, the process will be improved in full-scale plant. 5. PVC plastics waste is not used and if used, it was less than 1%. In case PVC is used, the chlorine can be converted into hydrochloric acid as a by-product. 6. The charcoal (charcoal is formed due to tapping of tarry waste) generated during the process has been analysed and contain heavy metals, poly aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) which appears to be hazardous in nature. The source of metals in charcoal could be due to the presence of additives in plastics and due to multilayer and laminated plastics. 7. Monitoring of process fugitive emissions in the work area as well as emissions from the engines/diesel generator sets is necessarily required (where this liquid fuel is used) for various parameters such as CO, HCl, Styrene, Benzene, VOCs. 8. Biodegradable Plastics The environmentally degradable polyolefin films are defined as those materials that contain degradation process of polyolefin article (b ag/film/sheet) under conditions of composting. Often queries are raised regarding biodegradability of plastics but clear-cut answer is not available about the biodegradability of plastics. In view of above, CPCB has initiated a study in collaboration with Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) to establish the biodegradability and compostability (e. g. fragmentation rate, degradation rate and safety) of polymeric material available in India and abroad. The study will include: 1. Inventorisation and assessment of the manufacturing status of biodegradable plastics in India particularly with reference to processing technologies and the environmental issues. . Establishment of the degradation rate (change in chemical structure, decrease in mechanical strength, fragmentation or weight loss) of the polymeric material or plastics material under laboratory scale composting conditions. 3. Finding out self-life and its impact on environment (soil, water of plastics w ith reference to colour and additives, once it is disposed off) 4. Assessment of effects on foodstuffs with reference to natural colours and additives. . ASSESSMENT OF DELHI IN WASTE DISPOSAL 9. 1Write about short introduction of Delhi 9. 2. Delhi lags way behind in waste disposal â€Å"Capital generates about 6,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, reveals study† NEW DELHI: While Delhi steals a march over all other metropolitan cities across the country in generating municipal waste, it lags far behind in waste disposal and recycling, according to a new study on Solid waste management and its disposal conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). The study reveals that Delhi is able to dispose of and recycle only 62 per cent of its solid waste as against Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, where the figure stands at 86 per cent, 85 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively. Kolkata has been cited as an exception in removing its municipal waste to the extent of 90 per cent, making it a city of people with a much better civic sense, reveals the ASSOCHAM study. According to the study, Delhi generates about 6,000 tonnes of solid waste daily as against 5,800 tonnes by Mumbai, 2,800 by Bangalore, 2,675 tonnes by Chennai and 4,000 tonnes by Kolkata. The study refers to Kerala that has created a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to dispose of its solid waste for power generation by closely integrating its 60 municipalities with three intermediate depots to collect its garbage and waste to dispose it of in large containers. Similar models should be emulated by other cities to collect their solid waste which should be recycled for commercial use, says ASSOCHAM president Venugopal N. Dhoot, emphasising the need for a national waste policy. Acknowledging the role of rag pickers in clearing solid waste, the study notes that in Delhi alone there are 85,000 of them and the total quantum of waste collected by the pickers is 900 tonnes a day, which is about 19 per cent of the total waste generated every day. The MCD spent about 2. 4 billion rupees to manage garbage generated during the year. Thus rag pickers saved the municipal authorities more than 250 million rupees, the study says. 9. 3Hazardous It points out that urban residents generate 350 gm to 1,000 gm of solid waste every day and with the increase in population and rising income, urban India is becoming a throwaway society. The waste in bigger cities is generally paper, plastics, metal and hazardous materials apart from vegetables wastes. Bio-degradable households waste has far less impact than the waste generated by activities like manufacturing of goods, the study notes. The present annual solid waste generated in Indian cities has increased from 48 million tones in 1997 to 95 million tonnes, which might exceed 150 million tonnes over the next seven years, says Mr. Dhoot. NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 23: Indias booming economy is producing mountains of toxic electronic waste like discarded computers and televisions, but there are no laws to regulate its disposal, a local environment group said on Friday. Toxics Link said while the Asian giants economy has been growing at eight per cent annually over the last three years, it has also resulted in the generation of 150,000 tonnes of electronic waste each year. An eight-month study by the group found that Indias bustling financial hub of Mumbai was the biggest source of electronic or e-waste, generating 19,000 tonnes every year. Being the hub of Indias commercial activities, the banks and financial institutions in Mumbai generate huge amounts of e-waste, Ravi Agarwal, Director of Toxics Link, told a news conference. But like the rest of India, there are no laws for its safe handling and this will lead to serious health and environmental impacts. Agarwal said the government had to regulate the management of e-waste by setting up a central authority to collect all discarded electronic goods and put in place laws to deal with disposal and recycling. Indias economic liberalisation that began in the early 1990s has seen hundreds of banks, financial institutions, electronics industries, information technology firms and call centres setting up operations across the country. The booming economy has also led to a growing middle classestimated around 300 millionwhich has more disposable income and an insatiable appetite for electronic products. When electronics like televisions, PCs and efrigerators are discarded, it is the informal sector made up of tens of thousands of people who collect it and then break it down and recycle parts of it which can be sold, said Agarwal. They extract toxic-heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium which are sold for other uses. These metals harm the development of the brain, kidneys and some are carcinogens which enter the food chain through the air, water and soil. 10. ASSESSMENT OF SIKKIM IN WASTE DISPOSAL 10. 1. Write about short introducti on of sikkim 10. 2. URBAN ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: AN ATTEMPT BY GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM 10. 2. 1. OBJECTIVES 1. Ban on plastic bags was mainly for avoidance of Natural Calamities as Land Slides. 2. To provide clean and healthy urban and rural environment. 3. To make Sikkim plastic free state in India. 4. To check soil pollution. 5. To secure the future of coming generation by providing them with plastic free environment. 6. To show concern over global fight against the use of plastic. 10. 3. STATUS ON SOLID WASTE BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE SIKKIM NON-BIODEGRADABLE GARBAGE (CONTROL) ACT, 1997:- The total accumulation of solid waste in the capital town of Gangtok is estimated to be 50 MT per day but only a fraction of this quantity is being collected and dumped. The rest are still thrown into the jhora and elsewhere despite restrictions. 10. 3. 1. Shops/Households dumped their solid wastes into permanent community bins or mobile garbage bins provided by the Go vernment. Garbage littered outside were swept by Safai karmacharies and deposited into these bins. 10. 3. 2. The Conservancy staff of the Department collected them from these bins in to the garbage vehicles for transportation to the dumping yard. 10. 3. 3. The solid wastes were thereafter thrown in the valley sides of roads generally as there was no designated dumping yard. 10. 3. 4. Garbage/wastes/spoils were alternatively dumped by the public indiscriminately in to the jhoras (natural permanent drains). 10. 3. 5. Shopping plastic bags were used and littered freely. 10. 3. 6. Because the plastic bags/materials are light weight, rain water carried them along its course but got stuck on the slightest obstruction in the flow. The jhoras were full of them. 10. 3. 7. Drains and sewage pipes got choked or blocked leading to diversion of the discharge and consequential damage to life and property in the valley side which course they undertake naturally in the hills. 10. 3. 8. In the villa ges, the plastics hindered seeds germination and their growth when they confronted plastics in the soil. 10. 3. 9. Animals often ate them up with fodder leading to consequential ill-health. 10. 3. 10. When burnt it emitted toxic fume in to the atmosphere but were not burnt out totally as the slag still remained. Plastics reportedly do not degrade for over 200 years, and unless it is burnt, the volume does not reduce. 11. REGULATORY ACTION BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT The State Government enacted the Sikkim Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1997, on 30th April, 1997. Salient features of the Act are:- 11. 1. Prohibiting the throwing of non-degradable garbage in public drains and sewage. (Section 3) 11. 2. Provision for placement of receptacles and places for deposit of non-biodegradable garbage, and to provide separate dustbins for deposit of non-biodegradable and bio-degradable garbage. Section 4) 11. 3. Duty of owners and occupiers to collect and deposit non-biodegradable garbage etc. (Section 5) 11. 4. Provision for imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to rupees five thousand, or with both. (Section 8) 11. 5. To enhance the effectiveness of the Act, the Sikkim Trade License and Miscellaneous Provisions Rules, 1985, was also amended banning use of plastic bags by Shopkeepers as well as for maintaining separate bins as prescribed for the Bio-degradable and Non-biodegradable / medical wastes depending upon the type of shop. 1. 6. Rules were framed under section 17 of the Sikkim Non-Biodegradable Garbage (control) Act, 1997, after inviting comments of the public and receiving suggestions from the Department of Health and Family Welfare. The Notification came into effect from 30th March, 2001. Under the Rules the following provisions have been made: 11. 6. 1. Division of areas into garbage collection / garbage management zones for the purpose of scavenging and cleaning the garbage. (Rule 3) 11. 6. 2. Constitution of Garbage Waste Management Committee. (Rule 4) 11. 6. 3. Provision for different colours and inscription on receptacles/garbage bins. (Rule 6). 11. 6. 4. Prohibition in littering or throwing of wastes. (Rules 8 and 9) 11. 6. 5. Power to entry, inspect or execute work. (Rule 11) 11. 6. 6. With the intervention of the High Court of Sikkim, the Sikkim Non-Biodegradable Grabage (Control) Act, 1997 was further amended to provide for compulsory imprisonment for a minimum period of one month and fine of minimum Rs. 5000/- against the guilty. 12. IMPLEMENTATION/EXECUTION 12. 1. Land was acquired for land-fill and composting where the segregation of bio-degradable and non-biodegradable is undertaken. 12. 2. Before implementation of the provisions of the Act, they were published for information of the general public. 12. 3. Continuous monitoring on the implementation of the provisions of the Act and Rules by Shop-keepers and occupiers was undertaken. 12. 4. The shop-keepers/occupiers were educ ated as part of the extension programme to motivate them for following the provisions which was beneficial to them as well as the general public. 2. 5. The Safai karmacharies were briefed about the provisions of the Act. 12. 6. Deterrent fines were imposed against those not following the directions and advice of the Government functionaries. 12. 7. Surprise checks were undertaken to ensure that the plastic bags were not being used and where detected, the materials were confiscated and fine imposed. 12. 8. Subsequently a new system to collect garbage from shops, houses of the towns in the National Highway directly from the shops/houses to the garbage collection vehicles was introduced. This was done only after the people being affected by the system were educated through an appeal in a pamphlet form. The people have totally participated in the programme. 12. 9. The use of community bins along the Highway previously provided for deposit of garbage by the cluster of houses around was d iscontinued. 12. 10. Although the Rules came into effect only from 30th March, 2001, the Government began acting on the basis of the provisions of the Act itself. 13. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 13. 1. The success in the venture was the public participation. 3. 2. Deliberations, mass media and discussions with the Panchayats and the NGOS led to the successful implementation and the extension of the Act. 13. 3. Consequently this led to formation of Garbage Waste Management Committee to assist and devise the efficient collection and disposal of the waste. The committee comprises of public representative of the area and two responsible persons of the area and the representative of the Department. 13. 4. Now the collection of garbage from each and every corner of the coty has become quite successful for which trucks has been allotted to each locality which collects the garbage and dumps in the treatment plant. 14. BENEFITS 14. 1. The drains and Jhoras and the sewerage lines have free flow and hence reduced chances of calamity. 14. 2. The towns and bazaars are free from plastics and appear clean. 14. 3. Chances of diversion of rain-water due to clogging is almost nil. 14. 4. Awareness among people have increased about the harmfulness of using plastic bags.