Abstract:
Waste is an unavoidable by-product of human activities. Economic development,
urbanization and improved living standards in cities contribute to increase in the
quantity and complexity of generated solid waste. If accumulated, it leads to
degradation of urban environment, stresses natural resources and leads to health
problems. Solid waste management has become a major environmental issue in
India. Waste management, however, remains a major challenge for any society,
since all natural processes generate waste. Rag pickers play an important, but
usually unrecognised role in the waste management system of Indian cities. They
collect garbage in search of recyclable items that can be sold to scrap merchant
like paper, plastic, tin...etc. This activity require no skills and is a source of
income for a growing number of urban poor people. The present thesis intends to
present the role of the informal sector in MSWM system with focus on the
conditions of the rag pickers and occupational health aspects. For this thesis
study of data, parenting to the socio-economic profile of the rag pickers including
the working conditions and their problems and expectations has been carried out.
This information has been developed through literature review, primary survey
and open-ended interviews conducted to generate data on rag pickers in
Bhanpur Solid waste dumping site in Bhopal.
