MAPUSA
Despite a series of initiatives and policy measures introduced by the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) to curb illegal waste dumping and improve solid waste management across the State, open garbage dumping continues to be a common sight in several towns and villages of Goa.
While the government claims progress in implementing waste segregation, collection and awareness measures, the visible ground reality in many areas tells a different story – with unsegregated garbage piles along highways, open fields and village corners remaining an ongoing challenge.
Persistent challenges
In its recent status report, the GWMC listed key challenges that hinder effective waste disposal from the point of generation across domestic, commercial and industrial sectors.
These include: Poor segregation of waste at source and frequent receipt of mixed waste, littering in public areas, including roads and open spaces, shortage of infrastructure, vehicles and manpower to match the increasing waste volume, dependence on cement factories in neighbouring states for disposal of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and inadequate funding for sustainable solid waste management initiatives.
Even as the GWMC continues to collect both loose and baled non-biodegradable waste from panchayats, municipalities, and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), illegal dumping remains widespread.
Enforcement efforts in place
Waste Management Minister Atanasio Monserrate informed the Assembly that efforts have been made to tackle this problem. These include: Installation of Transfer Stations and Waste Collection Centres along highways and major district roads, empowering multiple departments to levy fines on violators under the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996 and conducting enforcement drives to penalize those caught dumping garbage illegally.
However, despite these measures, the enforcement appears to fall short, with compliance remaining low and monitoring inconsistent, especially in rural areas.
Community engagement
In addition to logistical efforts, the GWMC is also pushing forward on the awareness and education front: The corporation has conducted awareness sessions across panchayats, municipal councils, CCP and schools to promote segregation and responsible disposal, over 400 schools and educational institutions have been supplied with waste bins and waste is collected by GWMC-appointed agencies and a Massive Open Online Courseware (MOOC) is currently under development in collaboration with GIZ India, aimed at building capacity among stakeholders in Goa and across the country.
Visible disconnect
Despite these structured interventions, the visible presence of garbage heaps, plastic waste, and indiscriminate dumping suggests a serious disconnect between policy and implementation.
