1. EVENT BACKGROUND 2. OBJECTIVE 3. CONCEPT 4. THEME 5.

PROGRAM FLOW
6. CREATIVE 7. BUDGET

Guidelines on writing a research proposal

by Matthew McGranaghan
This is a work in progress, intended to organize my thoughts on the process of formulating a
proposal. If you have any thoughts on the contents, or on the notion of making this available to
students, please share them with me. Thanks.
Introduction
This is a guide to writing M.A. research proposals. The same principles apply to dissertation
proposals and to proposals to most funding agencies. It includes a model outline, but advisor,
committee and funding agency expectations vary and your proposal will be a variation on this
basic theme. Use these guidelines as a point of departure for discussions with your advisor. They
may serve as a straw-man against which to build your understanding both of your project and of
proposal writing.
Proposal Writing
Proposal writing is important to your pursuit of a graduate degree. The proposal is, in effect, an
intellectual scholastic (not legal) contract between you and your committee. It specifies what you
will do, how you will do it, and how you will interpret the results. In specifying what will be
done it also gives criteria for determining whether it is done. In approving the proposal, your
committee gives their best judgment that the approach to the research is reasonable and likely to
yield the anticipated results. They are implicitly agreeing that they will accept the result as
adequate for the purpose of granting a degree. (Of course you will have to write the thesis in
acceptable form, and you probably will discover things in the course of your research that were
not anticipated but which should be addressed in your thesis, but the minimum core intellectual
contribution of your thesis will be set by the proposal.) Both parties benefit from an agreed upon
plan.
The objective in writing a proposal is to describe what you will do, why it should be done, how
you will do it and what you expect will result. Being clear about these things from the beginning
will help you complete your thesis in a timely fashion. A vague, weak or fuzzy proposal can lead
to a long, painful, and often unsuccessful thesis writing exercise. A clean, well thought-out,
proposal forms the backbone for the thesis itself. The structures are identical and through the
miracle of word-processing, your proposal will probably become your thesis.
A good thesis proposal hinges on a good idea. Once you have a good idea, you can draft the
proposal in an evening. Getting a good idea hinges on familiarity with the topic. This assumes a
longer preparatory period of reading, observation, discussion, and incubation. Read everything
that you can in your area of interest. Figure out what are the important and missing parts of our

understanding. Figure out how to build/discover those pieces. Live and breathe the topic. Talk
about it with anyone who is interested. Then just write the important parts as the proposal. Filling
in the things that we do not know and that will help us know more: that is what research is all
about.
Proposals help you estimate the size of a project. Don't make the project too big. Our MA
program statement used to say that a thesis is equivalent to a published paper in scope. These
days, sixty double spaced pages, with figures, tables and bibliography, would be a long paper.
Your proposal will be shorter, perhaps five pages and certainly no more than fifteen pages. (For
perspective, the NSF limits the length of proposal narratives to 15 pages, even when the request
might be for multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars.) The merit of the proposal counts, not the
weight. Shoot for five pithy pages that indicate to a relatively well-informed audience that you
know the topic and how its logic hangs together, rather than fifteen or twenty pages that indicate
that you have read a lot of things but not yet boiled it down to a set of prioritized linked
questions.
Different Theses, Similar Proposals
This guide includes an outline that looks like a "fill-in the blanks model" and, while in the
abstract all proposals are similar, each proposal will have its own particular variation on the basic
theme. Each research project is different and each needs a specifically tailored proposal to bring
it into focus. Different advisors, committees and agencies have different expectations and you
should find out what these are as early as possible; ask your advisor for advice on this. Further,
different types of thesis require slightly different proposals. What style of work is published in
your sub-discipline?
Characterizing theses is difficult. Some theses are "straight science". Some are essentially
opinion pieces. Some are policy oriented. In the end, they may well all be interpretations of
observations, and differentiated by the rules that constrain the interpretation. (Different advisors
will have different preferences about the rules, the meta-discourse, in which we all work.)
In the abstract all proposals are very similar. They need to show a reasonably informed reader
why a particular topic is important to address and how you will do it. To that end, a proposal
needs to show how your work fits into what is already known about the topic and what new
contribution your work will make. Specify the question that your research will answer, establish
why it is a significant question, show how you are going to answer the question, and indicate
what you expect we will learn. The proposal should situate the work in the literature, it should
show why this is an (if not the most) important question to answer in the field, and convince your
committee (the skeptical readers that they are) that your approach will in fact result in an answer
to the question.
Theses which address research questions that can be answered by making plan-able observations
(and applying hypothesis testing or model selection techniques) are preferred and perhaps the
easiest to write. Because they address well-bounded topics, they can be very tight, but they do
require more planning on the front end. Theses which are largely based on synthesis of
observations, rumination, speculation, and opinion formation are harder to write, and usually not

as convincing, often because they address questions which are not well-bounded and essentially
unanswerable. (One 'old saw' about research in the social sciences is that the finding is always:
"some do and some don't". Try to avoid such insight-less findings; finding "who do and who
don't" is better.) One problem with this type of project is that it is often impossible to tell when
you are "done". Another problem is that the nature of argument for a position rather than the
reasoned rejection of alternatives to it encourages shepherding a favored notion rather than
converging more directly toward a truth. (See Chamberlain's and Platt's articles). A good
proposal helps one see and avoid these problems.
Literature review-based theses involve collection of information from the literature, distillation
of it, and coming up with new insight on an issue. One problem with this type of research is that
you might find the perfect succinct answer to your question on the night before (or after) you
turn in the final draft --- in someone else's work. This certainly can knock the wind out of your
sails. (But note that even a straight-ahead science thesis can have the problem of discovering,
late in the game, that the work you have done or are doing has already been done; this is where
familiarity with the relevant literature by both yourself and your committee members is
important.)
A Couple of Models for Proposals
A Two Page (Preliminary Proposal) Model

Here is a model for a very brief (maybe five paragraph) proposal that you might use to interest
faculty in sitting on your committee. People who are not yet hooked may especially appreciate its
brevity.
In the first paragraph, the first sentence identifies the general topic area. The second sentence
gives the research question, and the third sentence establishes its significance.
The next couple of paragraphs gives the larger historical perspective on the topic. Essentially list
the major schools of thought on the topic and very briefly review the literature in the area with its
major findings. Who has written on the topic and what have they found? Allocate about a
sentence per important person or finding. Include any preliminary findings you have, and
indicate what open questions are left. Restate your question in this context, showing how it fits
into this larger picture.
The next paragraph describes your methodology. It tells how will you approach the question,
what you will need to do it.
The final paragraph outlines your expected results, how you will interpret them, and how they
will fit into the our larger understanding i.e., 'the literature'.
The (Longer) Standard Model

The two outlines below are intended to show both what are the standard parts of a proposal and
of a science paper. Notice that the only real difference is that you change "expected results" to
"results" in the paper, and usually leave the budget out, of the paper.

A Basic Proposal Outline:

Introduction
Topic area
Research question
Significance to knowledge
Literature review
Previous research
others & yours
Interlocking findings and Unanswered questions
Your preliminary work on the topic
The remaining questions and inter-locking logic
Reprise of your research question(s) in this context
Methodology
Approach
Data needs
Analytic techniques
Plan for interpreting results
Expected results
Budget
Bibliography (or References)
The Basic Thesis Outline
Introduction
Topic area
Research question (finding?)
Significance to knowledge
Literature review
Previous research
others & yours
Interlocking findings and Unanswered questions
Your preliminary work on the topic
The remaining questions and inter-locking logic
Reprise of your research question(s) in this context
Methodology
Approach
Data needs
Analytic techniques
Plan for interpreting results
Results
Discussion and Conclusions
Bibliography

Another outline (maybe from Gary Fuller?).

Introduction
Topic area
Research Question and its significance to knowledge
Literature review
Previous research
Your preliminary work on the topic
The remaining questions and their inter-locking logic
Reprise of your resulting question in this context
Methodology
Approach to answering the question
Data needs

Analytic techniques
Plan for interpreting results
Budget
Expected results
Bibliography / References

Each of these outlines is very similar. You probably see already that the proposal's organization
lends itself to word-processing right into the final thesis. It also makes it easy for readers to find
relevant parts more easily. The section below goes into slightly more detail on what each of the
points in the outline is and does.
The Sections of the Proposal
The Introduction

Topic Area
A good title will clue the reader into the topic but it can not tell the whole story. Follow the title
with a strong introduction. The introduction provides a brief overview that tells a fairly well
informed (but perhaps non-specialist) reader what the proposal is about. It might be as short as a
single page, but it should be very clearly written, and it should let one assess whether the
research is relevant to their own. With luck it will hook the reader's interest.
What is your proposal about? Setting the topical area is a start but you need more, and quickly.
Get specific about what your research will address.
Question
Once the topic is established, come right to the point. What are you doing? What specific issue or
question will your work address? Very briefly (this is still the introduction) say how you will
approach the work. What will we learn from your work?
Significance
Why is this work important? Show why this is it important to answer this question. What are the
implications of doing it? How does it link to other knowledge? How does it stand to inform
policy making? This should show how this project is significant to our body of knowledge. Why
is it important to our understanding of the world? It should establish why I would want to read
on. It should also tell me why I would want to support, or fund, the project.
Literature Review

State of our knowledge

The purpose of the literature review is to situate your research in the context of what is already
known about a topic. It need not be exhaustive, it needs to show how your work will benefit the

whole. It should provide the theoretical basis for your work, show what has been done in the area
by others, and set the stage for your work.
In a literature review you should give the reader enough ties to the literature that they feel
confident that you have found, read, and assimilated the literature in the field. It might do well to
include a paragraph that summarizes each article's contribution, and a bit of 'mortar' to hold the
edifice together, perhaps these come from your notes while reading the material. The flow should
probably move from the more general to the more focused studies, or perhaps use historical
progression to develop the story. It need not be exhaustive; relevance is 'key'.
Outstanding questions
This is where you present the holes in the knowledge that need to be plugged, and by doing so,
situate your work. It is the place where you establish that your work will fit in and be significant
to the discipline. This can be made easier if there is literature that comes out and says "Hey, this
is a topic that needs to be treated! What is the answer to this question?" and you will sometimes
see this type of piece in the literature. Perhaps there is a reason to read old AAG presidential
addresses.
Research Questions in Detail

Your work to date

Tell what you have done so far. It might report preliminary studies that you have conducted to
establish the feasibility of your research. It should give a sense that you are in a position to add to
the body of knowledge.
Methodology

Overview of approach
This section should make clear to the reader the way that you intend to approach the research
question and the techniques and logic that you will use to address it.
Data Collection
This might include the field site description, a description of the instruments you will use, and
particularly the data that you anticipate collecting. You may need to comment on site and
resource accessibility in the time frame and budget that you have available, to demonstrate
feasibility, but the emphasis in this section should be to fully describe specifically what data you
will be using in your study. Part of the purpose of doing this is to detect flaws in the plan before
they become problems in the research.
Data Analysis
This should explain in some detail how you will manipulate the data that you assembled to get at
the information that you will use to answer your question. It will include the statistical or other

techniques and the tools that you will use in processing the data. It probably should also include
an indication of the range of outcomes that you could reasonably expect from your observations.
Interpretation
In this section you should indicate how the anticipated outcomes will be interpreted to answer
the research question. It is extremely beneficial to anticipate the range of outcomes from your
analysis, and for each know what it will mean in terms of the answer to your question.
Expected Results

This section should give a good indication of what you expect to get out of the research. It
should join the data analysis and possible outcomes to the theory and questions that you have
raised. It will be a good place to summarize the significance of the work.
It is often useful from the very beginning of formulating your work to write one page for this
section to focus your reasoning as you build the rest of the proposal.
Bibliography

This is the list of the relevant works. Some advisors like exhaustive lists. I think that the
Graduate Division specifies that you call it "Bibliography". Others like to see only the literature
which you actually cite. Most fall in between: there is no reason to cite irrelevant literature but it
may be useful to keep track of it even if only to say that it was examined and found to be
irrelevant.
Use a standard format. Order the references alphabetically, and use "flag" paragraphs as per the
University's Guidelines.
Tips and Tricks
Read. Read everything you can find in your area of interest. Read. Read. Read. Take notes, and
talk to your advisor about the topic. If your advisor won't talk to you, find another one or rely on
'the net' for intellectual interaction. Email has the advantage of forcing you to get your thoughts
into written words that can be refined, edited and improved. It also gets time stamped records of
when you submitted what to your advisor and how long it took to get a response.
Write about the topic a lot, and don't be afraid to tear up (delete) passages that just don't work.
Often you can re-think and re-type faster than than you can edit your way out of a hopeless mess.
The advantage is in the re-thinking.
Very early on, generate the research question, critical observation, interpretations of the possible
outcomes, and the expected results. These are the core of the project and will help focus your
reading and thinking. Modify them as needed as your understanding increases.
Use some systematic way of recording notes and bibliographic information from the very
beginning. The classic approach is a deck of index cards. You can sort, regroup, layout spatial

arrangements and work on the beach. Possibly a slight improvement is to use a word-processor
file that contains bibliographic reference information and notes, quotes etc. that you take from
the source. This can be sorted, searched, diced and sliced in your familiar word-processor. You
may even print the index cards from the word-processor if you like the ability to physically rearrange things.
Even better for some, is to use specialized bibliographic database software. Papyrus, EndNote,
and other packages are available for PCs and MacIntoshs. The bib-refer and bibTex software on
UNIX computers are also very handy and have the advantage of working with plain ASCII text
files (no need to worry about getting at your information when the wordprocessor is several
generations along). All of these tools link to various word-processors to make constructing and
formating your final bibliography easier, but you won't do that many times anyway. If they help
you organize your notes and thinking, that is the benefit.
Another pointer is to keep in mind from the outset that this project is neither the last nor the
greatest thing you will do in your life. It is just one step along the way. Get it done and get on
with the next one. The length to shoot for is "equivalent to a published paper", sixty pages of
double spaced text, plus figures tables, table of contents, references, etc. is probably all you need.
In practice, most theses try to do too much and become too long. Cover your topic, but don't
confuse it with too many loosely relevant side lines.
This is not complete and needs a little rearranging.
The balance between Introduction and Literature Review needs to be thought out. The reader will
want to be able to figure out whether to read the proposal. The literature review should be
sufficiently inclusive that the reader can tell where the bounds of knowledge lie. It should also
show that the proposer knows what has been done in the field (and the methods used).
The balance may change between the proposal and the thesis. It is common, although not really
desirable, for theses to make reference to every slightly related piece of work that can be found.
This is not necessary. Refer to the work that actually is linked to your study, don't go too far
afield (unless your committee is adamant that you do ;-).
Useful References:
Krathwohl, David R. 1988. How to Prepare a Research Proposal: Guidelines for Funding and
Dissertations in the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse University Press.
Recent National Science Foundations Guidelines for Research Proposals can be found on the
NSF website, www.nsf.gov.
Chamberlain, T.C. "The Method of Multiple Working Hypotheses", reprinted in Science, Vol
148, pp754-759. 7 May 1965.
Platt, J. "Strong Inference" in Science, Number 3642, pp. 347-353, 16 October 1964.

Strunk and White The Elements of Style

Turabian, Kate. 1955 (or a more recent edition) A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses
and Dissertations, University of Chicago Press.
Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren. 1940 ('67, '72 etc). How to Read a Book. Simon and
Schuster Publishers. New York City, NY.
Last edited: 16 December 2014
Eligible Institutions

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Provision of free supply of data

Out

Guidelines for processing Research Proposals

1.1 Financial support under the scheme of " Payment of Professional Service in respect of
Research Studies/ Sample Surveys and Related Activities" is given for research/study proposals
having direct bearings on the development of official statistics, methodologies of data collection,
analysis , processing as well as organization of short duration conferences/seminars/workshops
and printing of reports based on time series data or results of research studies/ sample surveys
conducted in the areas of gender issues, environment and other topics of importance and
relevance. Operations of the institutions that receive financial assistance from government are
governed by a set of rules, which are listed in the relevant Chapter of " General Financial Rules
(GFRs) released by Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MOS&PI) as the Administrative Ministry for the implementation of the scheme
is responsible to the Government for ensuring compliance by the institution receiving the
financial assistance with the prescribed General Financial Rules. Guidelines given here pertain to
operation of the scheme of " Payment of Professional Service in respect of Research Studies/
Sample Surveys and Related Activities" and do not list the requirements of "General Financial
Rules".

Eligible Institutions

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1.1 The financial assistance under the scheme is given to an eligible institution. An
institution is deemed to be eligible by virtue of its openness to scrutiny at a public forum,

or by qualifying for annual recurring grants by specific establishments of Government or

by successful execution of research studies/projects for certain institutions of Central
Government which have been established for financing research.

1.2 An institution is deemed to be eligible if one of the following conditions is fulfilled :

i.

The Annual Report of the research institution is placed on the Table of

Lok Sabha by a Ministry of Central Government, or

ii.

The research institution has received annual recurring grants from UGC
or ICSSR during the past three years or

iii.

The institution is registered as Society/Non Governmental Organisation

whose audit is being done regularly or

iv.

Consultancy organization who has executed successfully, a research

project for which assistance of Rs. five lakhs or more was released to
that Institution during the recent five years period by ICAR, ICMR, CSIR
or similar Central Government organization set up primarily, for the
purpose of funding research work or data collection. Successful
execution of the research project is determined by acceptance of
utilization certificate by the Department or Office that released
financial assistance for the research project.

v.

Eminent academicians/ researchers can also submit proposal through

registered society/ institution of repute whose audit is being done
regularly.

2. Internal and external proposals

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2.1 Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation or Director General (DG),
Central Statistical Organisation may invite research proposal from an eligible institution for work
which the Ministry wish to undertake on the recommendations of the technical advisory
committee, technical working group or meeting of experts convened by him. The eligibility of an
institution for a particular work can be decided by Secretary, MOS&PI/DG, CSO depending
upon the expertise of past work done in the relevant area.

2.2 The proposals invited by the Ministry are the internal proposals, and can be processed in
consultation with Internal Finance Division after obtaining approval of DG, CSO or Secretary,
MOS& PI.

2.3 Normally the findings of the study should be discussed with the administrative
Ministry/concerned state governments and there should be attempt to integrate the research
findings with the revamping or refinement of existing policies and programmes. The findings can
be used for change in methodology of data collection, restructuring sample design etc.

2.5 External Proposals

The erstwhile Department of Statistics issued an advertisement in four major cities in October ,
1997 inviting research proposals for financing. These proposals are known as external proposals.
These external proposals as per the advertisement are sent to Director in charge of the scheme for
further processing or obtaining the decision of the Standing Research Advisory Committee
(SRAC) of the Ministry of Statistics & PI for financing.

2.6 The external proposals should have direct bearings on the development of official statistics,
methodology of data collection, analysis /processing. The proposals for funding are examined by
the SRAC in its various meetings.

3. Examination of Proposals and Decision:

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3.1 The external proposals under the scheme are considered by the Standing Research Advisory
Committee (SRAC) of the Ministry headed by Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation and comprising the representatives of various Ministries/Central Organisations
and non official experts.

3.2 The external proposals received from researchers are submitted to the SRAC for appropriate
decision. The SRAC short lists proposals found to be worth funding and recommends for further

processing. The proposals which are found not the worthy and not recommended for further
processing, the decision will be communicated to researcher by the Ministry accordingly.

3.3 The short listed proposals will be sent to one or two outside experts after obtaining the
approval of DG, CSO /Secretary, MOS & PI or any particular organization/experts if SRAC
makes specific recommendations. A copy of the proposals may be referred to the Internal
Finance Division for obtaining their views from the financial angle.

3.4 After obtaining the experts comments a decision needs to be taken on file whether the
concerned researcher will be invited for making presentation before the SRAC. Thereafter, the
researcher will be invited for making presentation in the meeting of the SRAC, for which MOS
& PI will not pay any travel cost, per diem incidentals etc. No proposal will be considered in
absentia by the SRAC. On the basis of presentation made, the Committee will recommend the
suitable proposal for funding. The concerned researcher will be informed about the decision of
the SRAC.

3.5 The proposals for organizing seminar/workshop will not be referred to the experts. The
Committee itself will recommend the suitability of the theme and amount of financial assistance.
In these cases even presentation by the researchers can be waived. The MOS & PI can decide on
the quantum of funding support to be provided either full or part.

3.6 The Committee in exceptional cases can waive the condition for referring the proposal to
outside experts for expert comments depending upon the expertise of the known expert who is
the principal investigator of the research study. The shortlisting of the proposal can also be
waived off by the chairman of the SRAC at his discretion.

4. Amount of financial support and its disbursement:TOP

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4.1 The institution will maintain a subsidiary account for the amount received for the project
from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. All expenditures connected with
the project have to be adjusted against the various item heads given under the project proposal. A
token sum can be kept aside for getting the accounts audited by Chartered Accountant by the
research institutions or it can be adjusted in overheads.
4.2.1 The total cost of the study should not exceed generally Rs. 5 lakhs. However, in few
exceptional cases, the assistance of higher value limited to maximum of Rs.10 lakhs can be
considered if properly justified. Normally no enhancement of cost beyond this ceiling will be
permitted. However, if such situation arises, the matter will be placed before SRAC for
appropriate recommendation and the decision of Secretary, MOS & PI /DG,CSO will be final in
this regard.

4.2.2 As regards, financing of the seminar/workshop, for the internal proposals, the total cost of
organizing of the seminar need to be reimbursed by the Ministry. In this case, the list of invitees
for the workshop as well as topics of the workshop needs to be approved by the Ministry. The
amount to be paid to the experts for preparation of the papers and travel cost will be governed by
the rules of the institutions. However, in case of the experts travel by air , financial rules
applicable to the Government are to be kept in mind. For these workshops the travel cost from
the outside India will not be met in any case.

4.3 For external proposals for organizing seminars/workshops will be considered only on
topics/themes or research schemes useful for the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation. The annual meeting of the various societies will not be funded. The quantum of
financial support to seminars/workshops will also be recommended by the SRAC, to be finally
decided by MOS & PI.

4.4 Duration of the research study should be generally one year. However, in exceptional cases,
the studies up to 18 months can be permitted. The SRAC can suggest to take up the study in
phases also. However, initially only first phase will be funded. On getting the results of first
phase, the funding of second phase can be considered. However, a separate proposal would need
to be submitted for the same i.e. each phase will be treated as a separate proposal, unless a
decision otherwise is taken in the beginning itself.

4.5 Payment of the financial assistance for research studies will be disbursed in 3 installments of
40%. 40% and 20% of the total cost . The first installment will be released after the approval of
the project by SRAC and on receipt of the bond in the prescribed form from the research
institution. The second installment will be released after receiving the audited statement of
expenditure from the research agencies or a certificate from the Registrar/Accounts Officer of the
of the Research Institutions /universities. The satisfactory progress of the scheme need to be
certified by the Monitoring Officer/Monitoring Committee appointed by the Ministry of
Statistics and Programme Implementation. The last instalment will be released only after the
receipt of the final accounts duly certified by Chartered Accountant and acceptance of the final
report and receiving the stipulated number of copies.

4.6 In case of organizing the workshop/ preparation of concept paper, the amount can be released
either in full or part as considered appropriate by the Ministry. The researchers are required to
submit initially three copies of the draft report. The draft reports will be referred to two outside
experts for their comments and these experts would be paid an honorarium of Rs.1,000/- for
examining the reports. The researchers will modify the report on the basis of experts comments.
The revised report will be submitted to the Secretary, MOS&PI/DG, CSO for acceptance.

4.7 The researcher will submit 8 copies of the final report (which could involve a revision in the
report based on experts comments so received) including three copies bound in hard cover
alongwith 25 copies in summary form to the Ministry. The final report received would be widely
disseminated and a short summary of the study will be put on the website of the Ministry.

5. Dissemination of completed work:

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5.1 Central Statistical Organisation /Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

(MOS&PI) is not responsible for the findings or opinions expressed in a document/report
prepared with financial support provided by the Ministry under the scheme. This responsibility
rests with the institutions that receive the financial support under the scheme.

5.2 The fact that CSO/MOS&PI provided financial support under the scheme "Payment of
Professional Services in respect of Research Studies/Sample Surveys" will be acknowledged on
any document and the disclaimer as provided in the earlier paragraph will be prominently
displayed on such documents.

5.3. Similarly, for organizing the workshop or seminar funded by MOS&PI, the name of the
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation may be prominently displayed on the
banners and other documents prepared by the organization for the seminar/ workshop.

6 Other conditions for acceptance of the research proposals by the CSO/MOS & PI
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6.1 According to the Standing practice, the CSO/MOS & PI sanctions the amount of the financial
assistance in favour of the institutions or universities with which the Director/Principal research
worker in charge of the project is associated/employed. As such all sanctions of the Ministry will
be isued in favour of the institution or university or NGO and not to an individual.

6.2 The institution or the Director In charge of the project will not accept any financial assistance
from any other sources for the project without the prior permission of CSO / DOS and PI.

6.3 The institution will require to obtain from the Director/Principal research worker in charge of
the project a monthly progress report in the prescribed proforma (Annex II) giving the financial
and physical progress of the project. The report will be submitted to the Monitoring Officer as
well as the Joint Director in charge of the scheme.

6.4 The persons employed in the project will be treated as the employees of the institutions and
not of the Government and the conditions of their service will be governed in accordance with
the rules and order of the institution applicable to such persons. In regard to traveling and daily
allowances, the scale appropriate to the respective classes of employees of the above named
institution will be applicable to them.

6.5 No capital expenditure will be incurred without the approval of the Ministry of Statistics and
Implementation. The equipments which are being purchased from the financial assistance will be
returned to the MOS&PI if the Ministry so desire.

6.6 The institution will provide infrastructure facilities such as accommodation, furniture,
research facilities, library , laboratory equipments, ministerial and managerial staff and material
and ministerial assistance required for the project for which a project provision will be made
under over heads. The over heads will be normally 5% of the total project cost or the percentage
fixed by the Government from time to time and in only exceptional cases it can go upto a
maximum of 10% only . The institution or the Director /Principal research worker in charge of
the project will not make available data collected for the project to any other person without the
prior approval of the MOS & PI.

6.7 Data collected for the project shall not be used by the Director In charge or his associates for
the preparation of their doctoral thesis or for other degrees or diploma etc. till the report is
published.

6.8 The institution or the Director In charge of the project shall make suitable arrangement for
the safe custody of data such as filled in schedules, tabulation or working sheets, tapes, floppies,
manuscript of the report etc. relating to the project for the period of three years after the
completion of the research study. If the scholar associated with the project leaves the institution
after a part of sanctioned grant has been received, the institution would have no objection to the
project being transferred to a new institution if the MOS & PI so desire , however, it should
continue to be responsible for submitting the statement of accounts and utilization certificate of
the financial assistance received by it for the project.

6.9 The institution will have to execute a bond in favour of the MOS &PI on a judicial stamp
paper of Rs.50/- in the prescribed format (Annex I).

7.

Provision

of

free

supply

of

data
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7.1
According to the National Policy of Dissemination of Statistical Data and
subsequent decisions taken by the Standing Research Advisory Committee (SRAC),
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOS & PI), the unit level
statistical data can also be supplied free of cost under the following cases.
7.2
Data can be supplied free of cost to approved research institutes and
universities for research purposes who have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the MOS&PI.
7.3
All the Government officers (including officers of Indian Statistical Service)
and research students, attached to recognized institutions desirous of getting data
free of cost, may submit their research proposals, duly approved/forwarded by their
Head of Department, wherever they are attached, to the MOS&PI for approval of the
SRAC. After the SRAC's approval, the data will be supplied to them free of cost.
While using the data thus supplied, they will have to observe following conditions:
a) The source of data has to be explicitly acknowledged in the final paper/report.
b) Free supply of data does not entitle the researchers to use the data for any
purpose other than it was taken for nor will they pass on the data to other users
with or without any consideration.
c) These researchers will not be entitled for any financial assistance for the research
work under the Plan Scheme Payment of professional services. However,
assistance in kind, to ISS officers viz. processing of data by the Computer Centre
could be considered by the SRAC for generation of tables on the basis of tabulation
plan submitted to and approved by the SRAC.

Guidelines for preparation and Submission of research proposal under the

Scheme of Payment of professional Services in respect of research studies /
sample surveys and related activities
1. Payment of Professional services in respect of research proposal on any
statistical problem having direct bearing on official statistical system,
methodology of data collection and filling up identified gaps in data required
for plan formulation or implementation is entrusted by the Ministry of
Planning & Programme Implementation (MOS&PI) for financial support. It is
required to be received from a University or an autonomous registered
institution.. The Project Director can draw TA/DA and out-station expenses
from the project fund as he is supposed to work in an honorary capacity.

Ongoing research studies or those commenced without MOS & PI prior

approval are not considered for being financed. Generally short duration
studies designed for quick feed back are favoured. The proposals for grant-inaid have to conform to guidelines prescribed by MOS & PI for this scheme. A
copy of the guidelines, in force, can be obtained from Director, MOS&PI
(Telephone No. 011 3361685, FAX 011 3342384).

2.

The research grants given by MOS&PI are institution based.

Outline of Research Study proposal

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1. Outline of the Research work proposed should be drawn as per the following
guidelines.
2. Objectives:- The focus and orientation of the study may be indicated and
specific objectives spelt out.
3. Hypotheses to be tested:- The hypotheses to be tested may be indicated and
specific objectives spelt out.
4. Type and method:- The extent to which the proposed study is reflective or
empirical may be indicated. It may also be clarified whether it is intended to
utilize data already available or whether collection of primary data is aimed
at . In the former case it may be indicated whether the available data are in
published from or whether they are still unpublished. Relevant sources of
data may be listed in all cases. Where collection of primary data aimed at,
the approach should be spelt out as to whether it would be a sample survey
or a case study.
5. Relevance of the study to improve plan formulation and implementation
should be discussed in concrete terms.
6. Major variable for data collection and analysis: The important variables on
which data are to be collected and their sources should be indicated .
Concepts and definitions to be followed in the study should be defined and
important lines of analysis spelt out.
7. Statistical design:- In case fresh survey is to be taken up for primary data.
sampling design as well as broad content of the schedules and questionnaire
may be given.
8. Tabulation arrangements:- Time phasing of the tabulation programme where
primary data are proposed to be collected and also where secondary data are
proposed to be utilized may be drawn up.

9. For case study: the number of units proposed to be studied and the method
and justification for their selection may be indicated.
10.Synopsis: Synopsis of chapter plan of the report may also be given , if
possible.
11.Project Duration:- The time required for competing the proposed study and
submission of the report may be indicated . While doing this, the period
required for (a) preliminary arrangements; b) data collection; (c) data
tabulation, d) drafting of the report may be indicated.
12.Staffing pattern:- The supporting staff and the period for which required and
the remuneration to be paid to each of them may be indicated.
13.Budget: The proposal should indicate the financial requirements broken down
under different items such as a) salaries and allowances for staff, b) traveling
allowances, c) stationery, d) printing of forms, e) tabulation f) computer
processing and g) overheads.
14.Five per cent of the local itemized cost can be shown as overhead, which may
accrue to the institute through which the study would be undertaken for
meeting expenses other than those clearly specified. In exceptional cases
MOS& PI may consider a provision of overheads upto ten per cent of the cost
of study.
15.No amount should be provided for publication of the report as it is separately
considered on merits after receiving the draft report.
16.Bio-data of the Project Director: Broad details of academic qualifications and
research experience of the Project Director may be indicated.
17.A brief note indicating the activities of the Institution during the last three
years, its constitution, research expertise available with it for conducting
studies and infra-structural facilities to conduct research work, should also be
appended.

Format for submission of proposals for Research proposal for financial

assistance.

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Subject: Forwarding Form for Research proposal from the Institution / Universities.

1.Name of the Project

2. Name of the Institution

3. Name of the Project Director / Principal Research Worker

4. Terms and conditions of Employment/Association of the person in item 2 with the Institution.

5. Other activities or personal time granted/proposed to be granted by the Institution to Project

Director/ Principal Research Worker till the completion of the proposed Research work.

6. Total Budget: Rs.

7. Certificate

I am forwarding the research proposal for financial support to the Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation (MOS&PI).

The Institution agrees to administer the project, manage its finance, provide accommodation,
furniture and the research facilities such as library , etc. required for project and also provide the
material and managerial assistance for the project.

It is certified that this proposal has not been submitted to any other agency department, for
funding purposes.

It is certified that the Project Director/Principal Research Worker -------------------------------will /is likely to continue with this Institution till the completion of the proposal study. In the
instance of the Project Director/Principal Research Worker leaving the Institution without
completing the study, the Institution undertakes to get the study completed, without any
additional financial liability on the part of the MOS&PI and within the stipulated time. However,
if the MOS&PI desires to transfer the project to some other Institution, this Institution will have
no objection to the same.

A brief resume of the activities and financial position of the Institution is enclosed.
A brief resume of the activities of the Project Director/ Principal Research Worker during
duration of project/ study and till its submission to MOS&PI is enclosed.

Signature and Seal of

the Administrator/
Head
of
Institution

A Time Budget

Sl.

Item
1. Preparatory work including
Selection of the staff and their
Training.
2. Pilot Study: if any, required
3. Drawing of sample
4. Schedule Construction-their
Pre-testing And printing.

Months

Days

the

5. Data collection
6. Data processing
7. Data Analysis
8. Report writing, typing, binding etc

-----------------------------Total Duration
9. Date from which research personnel will be in position to commence work in
the event of approval of research work by Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation.

Date:

Name and signature of the

Project Director /Principal Research
Worker

Name and Signature of the

Head of the Institution
(Official seal)

Note: 1. Justification for financial and time budget must be distinctly indicated in the proposal
submitted for approval.

2. The project is to be planned in suitable convenient stages and the time required for completion
of each stage should be indicated.

B Financial Budget

ITEMS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE

1.SALARIES

Research and other staff categorywise

Job Tasks to
Be done

Monthly
SALARY

Duration

Annual
(In Rs. )

1. Project
Honorary
Director
2 Research /
Faculty Staff
1.
2.
3.
3 Field Staff
4 Secretarial
Staff

Total ------------------------------------------------------------

II Travel

III Data processing including computation/ computer work

IV Stationery, printing, photocopying, postage etc.

V Books and journals

VI Equipment, if any (Please give details of the requirement proposed to be purchased. Purchase
of small value equipment is permissible)

VII Any other (to be specified)

Total (I to VII)

VIII Overheads

Total (I to VIII)

Terms and conditions

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1. Head of the Institution is requested to execute a bond in favour of the President of

India to the effect that he will abide by the term and conditions attached to the financial
assistance and to the rules/ guidelines and that in case he fails to abide by the same, he
will refund to the Government the total financial assistance sanctioned to him for the
purpose with interest thereon.

2. The Organisation will maintain separate accounts in respect of this financial assistance.
The accounts will remain open to inspection to the representatives of the Government of
India including the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. At the end of the period,
the Organisation will have the accounts of the assistance audited by a Government
Auditor or a Chartered Accountant and supply a copy of the audited accounts, together
with a utilization certificate to this Department within six months of the date of
acceptance/clearance of the project report. The periodical audited statement will be
submitted to the MOS&PI by the organization before release of each installment except
in case of research institution set up by an act of Parliament whose report is laid on the

table of Parliament or universities. If regular process of audit takes more time the
accounts may be got audited by a Chartered Accountant and the Audit Fee may be
charged under Sub-head "Contingency" of the project. Any unspent balance out of this
grant will be refunded by the Organisation immediately.

3. The salaries of the staff are consolidated and may not be revised during the course of
the project.

4. Except the Project ;Director who is honorary all other staff should be employed on
whole time basis.
5. The Project Director will furnish monthly/ quarterly progress depicting the physical
and financial progress of the work done in the preceding quarter.

6. The actual date of commencement of the project may be intimated. The duration of the
project is for months as detailed below:i.

Preparation . Months

ii.

Data collection.months

iii.

Data processing and analysismonths

iv.

Report writing months

______________________________________
Total
months

7. The project Director must furnish 8 copies ( out of which three bound in hard board cover) of
the main report and 25 copies of the summary report to this Ministry on completion of the
project.

ANNEX 1

FORMAT OF BOND
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KNOW
ALL
MEN
BY
THESE
PRESENTS
THAT
we
the
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------an
association registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) and having its
office
at
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------in the State of ------------------------------------------------------------------------(hereinafter called the Obligors) are held and firmly bound to President of India (hereinafter
called
the
Government
in
the
sum
of
Rs.--------------only)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------only) well and truly to be paid to the President on demand and without demur for which payment
we bind ourselves and our successors and assignees by these presents.

2. SIGNED this-----------------------day of ---------------------------------in the year two thousand

and -----------------------------------.

3. WHEREAS on the Obligors request, the Government has as per Union Ministry of Statistics
and Programme Implementation letter No.--------------------------------------------------dated
----------(hereinafter referred to as the letter of Sanction which forms an integral part of these
presents and a copy thereof in annexed hereto as Annexure-A) agreed to make in favour of the
Obligors
a
grant
of
Rs.----------------------(Rupees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------only) out of which
Rs.----------------(Rupees---------------------------------------------only) have already been received
by the obligors on condition of the Obligors executing a bond in the terms and manner contained
hereinafter and which the Obligors have agreed to.
4. Now the condition of the above written obligation is that case the Obligors duly fulfill
and comply with the conditions mentioned in the letter of Sanction the above written
bond or obligation shall be void and of no effect. But otherwise it shall remain in full
force and virtue. If a part of the grant is left unspent after the expiry of the period within
which it is required to be spent, the obligors agree to refund the unspent balance
alongwith interest thereon at the prevailing rate of the Government of India unless it is
allowed to be carried over, the amount of grant to be refunded and interest thereon will be
recoverable as arrears of land revenue.

5. The Obligor agrees and undertakes to surrender/pay to Government the monetary value
of all such pecuniary or other benefits which it may receive or derive/have received or
derived through/upon unauthorised user (such as letting out the premises for adequate or
less than adequate consideration or use of the equipment premises for any purpose other
than that for which the grant was intended) of the property/building
created/acquired/constructed largely from out of Government grant. The decision of the
Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Statistics & Programme
Implementation or the administrative Head of the Department concerned as regards the
monetary value of aforementioned to be surrendered/paid to the Government will be final
and binding on the society/trust.

6. AND THESE PRESENTS ALSO WITNESS THAT

i) The decision of the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Statistics &
Programme Implementation on the question whether there has been breach or violation of
any of the terms or conditions mentioned in the letter of Sanction shall be final and
binding on the Obligors; and
ii) The Government shall bear the stamp duty payable on these presents.
7. In witness whereof these presents have been executed as under on behalf of
the Obligors on the day herein above written in pursuance of the Resolution
No.-------------------------------------------dated
-----------------------passed
by
the
Governing Body of the obligor, a copy whereof is annexed hereto as
Annexure-B and accepted by -------------------------for and on behalf of the
President of India on the date appearing below.

SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF

(Name of the Obligor Association)

in the presence of

1)

2)

Witness Name and Address

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Accepted for and on behalf of the President of India

Witness

Name & Address ----------------------

Date---------------------------

Designation --------------------

ANNEX 2
Monthly progress report of the monitoring the projects

1. Name of the project:

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2. Name of Project Director:

3. Report for the Month:---------------------------4. Progress:

A: Financial:

Head

Total
budgeted as
per
project
proposal
(Rs.)

Expenditure
during
the
month (Rs.)

Cumulative
expenditure
upto
the
month

Reasons
for
excess/shortf
all if any

B: Physical:

Activities

Target
as
per
project proposal

Target achieved

Monthl
y

During
the
month

cumulativ
e

cumulative

Reasons for
shortfall/exc
ess if any

5. Signature:

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(Project Director)

Remarks of the monitoring officer:

ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND OPTIONS FOR

E-WASTES MANAGEMENT
*Ramachandra T.V., * Saira Varghese K.

*Energy and Wetlands Group, Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore.
Published by : Envis Journal of Human Settlements, March 2004.
CONTENTS

Abstract
Introduction
Effects on the Environment and Human
health
Basel Convention
Management of E-Waste
The Indian Scenario
Management Options
Acknowledgement
Reference

ABSTRACT

"E-waste" is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful
life. "E-wastes are considered dangerous, as certain components of some electronic products
contain materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. The hazardous
content of these materials pose a threat to human health and environment. Discarded computers,
televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio equipment
and batteries if improperly disposed can leach lead and other substances into soil and
groundwater. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled in an
environmentally sound manner so that they are less harmful to the ecosystem. This paper
highlights the hazards of e-wastes, the need for its appropriate management and options that can
be implemented.

INTRODUCTION

Industrial revolution followed by the advances in information technology during the last century
has radically changed people's lifestyle. Although this development has helped the human race,
mismanagement has led to new problems of contamination and pollution. The technical prowess
acquired during the last century has posed a new challenge in the management of wastes. For
example, personal computers (PCs) contain certain components, which are highly toxic, such as
chlorinated and brominated substances, toxic gases, toxic metals, biologically active materials,
acids, plastics and plastic additives. The hazardous content of these materials pose an
environmental and health threat. Thus proper management is necessary while disposing or
recycling ewastes.
These days computer has become most common and widely used gadget in all kinds of activities
ranging from schools, residences, offices to manufacturing industries. E-toxic components in
computers could be summarized as circuit boards containing heavy metals like lead & cadmium;
batteries containing cadmium; cathode ray tubes with lead oxide & barium; brominated flameretardants used on printed circuit boards, cables and plastic casing; poly vinyl chloride (PVC)
coated copper cables and plastic computer casings that release highly toxic dioxins & furans
when burnt to recover valuable metals; mercury switches; mercury in flat screens; poly
chlorinated biphenyl's (PCB's) present in older capacitors; transformers; etc. Basel Action
Network (BAN) estimates that the 500 million computers in the world contain 2.87 billion kgs of
plastics, 716.7 million kgs of lead and 286,700 kgs of mercury. The average 14-inch monitor
uses a tube that contains an estimated 2.5 to 4 kgs of lead. The lead can seep into the ground
water from landfills thereby contaminating it. If the tube is crushed and burned, it emits toxic
fumes into the air.
EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH

Disposal of e-wastes is a particular problem faced in many regions across the globe. Computer
wastes that are landfilled produces contaminated leachates which eventually pollute the
groundwater. Acids and sludge obtained from melting computer chips, if disposed on the ground
causes acidification of soil. For example, Guiyu, Hong Kong a thriving area of illegal e-waste
recycling is facing acute water shortages due to the contamination of water resources.
This is due to disposal of recycling wastes such as acids, sludges etc. in rivers. Now water is
being transported from faraway towns to cater to the demands of the population. Incineration of
e-wastes can emit toxic fumes and gases, thereby polluting the surrounding air. Improperly
monitored landfills can cause environmental hazards. Mercury will leach when certain electronic
devices, such as circuit breakers are destroyed. The same is true for polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) from condensers. When brominated flame retardant plastic or cadmium containing
plastics are landfilled, both polybrominated dlphenyl ethers (PBDE) and cadmium may leach
into the soil and groundwater. It has been found that significant amounts of lead ion are dissolved

from broken lead containing glass, such as the cone glass of cathode ray tubes, gets mixed with
acid waters and are a common occurrence in landfills.
Not only does the leaching of mercury poses specific problems, the vaporization of metallic
mercury and dimethylene mercury, both part of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE) is also of concern. In addition, uncontrolled fires may arise at landfills and this could be
a frequent occurrence in many countries. When exposed to fire, metals and other chemical
substances, such as the extremely toxic dioxins and furans (TCDD tetrachloro dibenzo-dioxin,
PCDDs-polychlorinated dibenzodioxins. PBDDs-polybrominated dibenzo-dioxin and PCDFspoly chlorinated dibenzo furans) from halogenated flame retardant products and PCB containing
condensers can be emitted. The most dangerous form of burning e-waste is the open-air burning
of plastics in order to recover copper and other metals. The toxic fall-out from open air burning
affects both the local environment and broader global air currents, depositing highly toxic by
products in many places throughout the world.
Table I summarizes the health effects of certain constituents in e-wastes. If these electronic items
are discarded with other household garbage, the toxics pose a threat to both health and vital
components of the ecosystem. In view of the ill-effects of hazardous wastes to both environment
and health, several countries exhorted the need for a global agreement to address the problems
and challenges posed by hazardous waste. Also, in the late 1980s, a tightening of environmental
regulations in industrialized countries led to a dramatic rise in the cost of hazardous waste
disposal. Searching for cheaper ways to get rid of the wastes, "toxic traders" began shipping
hazardous waste to developing countries. International outrage following these irresponsible
activities led to the drafting and adoption of strategic plans and regulations at the Basel
Convention. The Convention secretariat, in Geneva, Switzerland, facilitates and implementation
of the Convention and related agreements. It also provides assistance and guidelines on legal and
technical issues, gathers statistical data, and conducts training on the proper management of
hazardous waste.
BASEL CONVENTION

The fundamental aims of the Basel Convention are the control and reduction of transboundary
movements of hazardous and other wastes including the prevention and minimization of their
generation, the environmentally sound management of such wastes and the active promotion of
the transfer and use of technologies.
A Draft Strategic Plan has been proposed for the implementation of the Basel Convention. The
Draft Strategic Plan takes into account existing regional plans, programmes or strategies, the
decisions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies, ongoing project activities
and process of international environmental governance and sustainable development. The Draft
requires action at all levels of society: training, information, communication, methodological
tools, capacity building with financial support, transfer of know-how, knowledge and sound,

proven cleaner technologies and processes to assist in the concrete implementation of the Basel
Declaration. It also calls for the effective involvement and coordination by all concerned
stakeholders as essential for achieving the aims of the Basel Declaration within the approach of
common but differentiated responsibility.
Table I: Effects of E-Waste constituent on health
Source of e-wastes Constituent
Solder in printed
circuit boards, glass
panels and gaskets Lead (PB)
in computer
monitors

Chip resistors and

semiconductors

Relays and
switches, printed
circuit boards

Cadmium (CD)

Mercury (Hg)

Corrosion
protection of
untreated and
Hexavalent
galvanized steel
chromium (Cr)
plates, decorator or VI
hardner for steel
housings
Cabling and
computer housing

Health effects

Damage to central and peripheral

nervous systems, blood systems
and kidney damage.

Affects brain development of

children.

Toxic irreversible effects on human

health.

Accumulates in kidney and liver.

Causes neural damage.

Teratogenic.

Chronic damage to the brain.

Respiratory and skin disorders due

to bioaccumulation in fishes.

Asthmatic bronchitis.

DNA damage.

Plastics
Burning produces dioxin. It causes
including PVC

Plastic housing of
electronic
equipments and
circuit boards.

Brominated
flame
retardants
(BFR)

Reproductive and developmental

problems;

Immune system damage;

Interfere with regulatory hormones

Disrupts endocrine system functions

Short term exposure causes:

Front panel of CRTs Barium (Ba)

Motherboard

Beryllium (Be)

Muscle weakness;

Damage to heart, liver and spleen.

Carcinogenic (lung cancer)

Inhalation of fumes and dust.

Causes chronic beryllium disease or
beryllicosis.

Skin diseases such as warts.

A set. of interrelated and mutually supportive strategies are proposed to support the concrete
implementation of the activities as indicated in the website
(www.basel.int/DraftstrateKJcpian4Seot.pdf) is described below:
1. To involve experts in designing communication tools for creating awareness
at the highest level to promote the aims of the Basel Declaration on
environmentally sound management and the ratification and implementation
of the Basel Convention, its amendments and protocol with the emphasis on
the short-term activities.
2. To engage and stimulate a group of interested parties to assist the secretariat
in exploring fund raising strategies including the preparation of projects and
in making full use of expertise in non-governmental organizations and other
institutions in joint projects.
3. To motivate selective partners among various stakeholders to bring added
value to making progress in the short-term.

4. To disseminate and make information easily accessible through the internet

and other electronic and printed materials on the transfer of know-how, in
particular through Basel Convention Regional Centers (BCRCs).
5. To undertake periodic review of activities in relation to the agreed indicators;
6. To collaborate with existing institutions and programmes to promote better
use of cleaner technology and its transfer, methodology, economic
instruments or policy to facilitate or support capacity-building for the
environmentally sound management of hazardous and other wastes.

The Basel Convention brought about a respite to the transboundary movement of hazardous
waste. India and other countries have ratified the convention. However United States (US) is not
a party to the ban and is responsible for disposing hazardous waste, such as, e-waste to Asian
countries even today. Developed countries such as US should enforce stricter legislations in their
own country for the prevention of this horrifying act.
In the European Union where the annual quantity of electronic waste is likely to double in the
next 12 years, the European Parliament recently passed legislation that will require
manufacturers to take back their electronic products when consumers discard them. This is called
Extended Producer Responsibility. It also mandates a timetable for phasing out most toxic
substances in electronic products.
MANAGEMENT OF E-WASTES

It is estimated that 75% of electronic items are stored due to uncertainty of how to manage it.
These electronic junks lie unattended in houses, offices, warehouses etc. and normally mixed
with household wastes, which are finally disposed off at landfills. This necessitates
implementable management measures.
In industries management of e-waste should begin at the point of generation. This can be done by
waste minimization techniques and by sustainable product design. Waste minimization in
industries involves adopting:

inventory management,

production-process modification,

volume reduction,

recovery and reuse.

Inventory management

Proper control over the materials used in the manufacturing process is an important way to
reduce waste generation (Freeman, 1989). By reducing both the quantity of hazardous materials
used in the process and the amount of excess raw materials in stock, the quantity of waste
generated can be reduced. This can be done in two ways i.e. establishing material-purchase
review and control procedures and inventory tracking system.
Developing review procedures for all material purchased is the first step in establishing an
inventory management program. Procedures should require that all materials be approved prior
to purchase. In the approval process all production materials are evaluated to examine if they
contain hazardous constituents and whether alternative non-hazardous materials are available.
Another inventory management procedure for waste reduction is to ensure that only the needed
quantity of a material is ordered. This will require the establishment of a strict inventory tracking
system. Purchase procedures must be implemented which ensure that materials are ordered only
on an as-needed basis and that only the amount needed for a specific period of time is ordered.
Production-process modification

Changes can be made in the production process, which will reduce waste generation. This
reduction can be accomplished by changing the materials used to make the product or by the
more efficient use of input materials in the production process or both. Potential waste
minimization techniques can be broken down into three categories:
i) Improved operating and maintenance procedures,
ii) Material change and
iii)Process-equipment modification.
Improvements in the operation and maintenance of process equipment can result in significant
waste reduction. This can be accomplished by reviewing current operational procedures or lack
of procedures and examination of the production process for ways to improve its efficiency.
Instituting standard operation procedures can optimise the use of raw materials in the production
process and reduce the potential for materials to be lost through leaks and spills. A strict
maintenance program, which stresses corrective maintenance, can reduce waste generation
caused by equipment failure. An employee-training program is a key element of any waste
reduction program. Training should include correct operating and handling procedures, proper
equipment use, recommended maintenance and inspection schedules, correct process control
specifications and proper management of waste materials.
Hazardous materials used in either a product formulation or a production process may be
replaced with a less hazardous or non-hazardous material. This is a very widely used technique

and is applicable to most manufacturing processes. Implementation of this waste reduction

technique may require only some minor process adjustments or it may require extensive new
process equipment. For example, a circuit board manufacturer can replace solvent-based product
with water-based flux and simultaneously replace solventvapor degreaser with detergent parts
washer.
Installing more efficient process equipment or modifying existing equipment to take advantage
of better production techniques can significantly reduce waste generation. New or updated
equipment can use process materials more efficiently producing less waste. Additionally such
efficiency reduces the number of rejected or off-specification products, thereby reducing the
amount of material which has to be reworked or disposed of. Modifying existing process
equipment can be a very cost-effective method of reducing waste generation. In many cases the
modification can just be relatively simple changes in the way the materials are handled within
the process to ensure that they are not wasted. For example, in many electronic manufacturing
operations, which involve coating a product, such as electroplating or painting, chemicals are
used to strip off coating from rejected products so that they can be recoated. These chemicals,
which can include acids, caustics, cyanides etc are often a hazardous waste and must be properly
managed. By reducing the number of parts that have to be reworked, the quantity of waste can be
significantly reduced.
Volume reduction

Volume reduction includes those techniques that remove the hazardous portion of a waste from a
non-hazardous portion. These techniques are usually to reduce the volume, and thus the cost of
disposing of a waste material. The techniques that can be used to reduce waste-stream volume
can be divided into 2 general categories: source segregation and waste concentration.
Segregation of wastes is in many cases a simple and economical technique for waste reduction.
Wastes containing different types of metals can be treated separately so that the metal value in
the sludge can be recovered. Concentration of a waste stream may increase the likelihood that the
material can be recycled or reused. Methods include gravity and vacuum filtration, ultra
filtration, reverse osmosis, freeze vaporization etc.
For example, an electronic component manufacturer can use compaction equipments to reduce
volume of waste cathode ray-tube.
Recovery and reuse

This technique could eliminate waste disposal costs, reduce raw material costs and provide
income from a salable waste. Waste can be recovered on-site, or at an off-site recovery facility, or
through inter industry exchange. A number of physical and chemical techniques are available to
reclaim a waste material such as reverse osmosis, electrolysis, condensation, electrolytic
recovery, filtration, centrifugation etc. For example, a printed-circuit board manufacturer can use
electrolytic recovery to reclaim metals from copper and tin-lead plating bath.

However recycling of hazardous products has little environmental benefit if it simply moves the
hazards into secondary products that eventually have to be disposed of. Unless the goal is to
redesign the product to use nonhazardous materials, such recycling is a false solution.
Sustainable product design

Minimization of hazardous wastes should be at product design stage itself keeping in mind the
following factors*

Rethink the product design: Efforts should be made to design a product

with fewer amounts of hazardous materials. For example, the efforts to
reduce material use are reflected in some new computer designs that are
flatter, lighter and more integrated. Other companies propose centralized
networks similar to the telephone system.

Use of renewable materials and energy: Bio-based plastics are plastics

made with plant-based chemicals or plant-produced polymers rather than
from petrochemicals. Bio-based toners, glues and inks are used more
frequently. Solar computers also exist but they are currently very expensive.

Use of non-renewable materials that are safer: Because many of the

materials used are non-renewable, designers could ensure the product is built
for re-use, repair and/or upgradeability. Some computer manufacturers such
as Dell and Gateway lease out their products thereby ensuring they get them
back to further upgrade and lease out again.
* http://www.svtc.org/ cIeancclDubs/savno.htm)

THE INDIAN SCENARIO

While the world is marveling at the technological revolution, countries like India are facing an
imminent danger. E-waste of developed countries, such as the US, dispose their wastes to India
and other Asian countries. A recent investigation revealed that much of the electronics turned
over for recycling in the United States ends up in Asia, where they are either disposed of or
recycled with little or no regard for environmental or worker health and safety. Major reasons for
exports are cheap labour and lack of environmental and occupational standards in Asia and in
this way the toxic effluent of the developed nations 'would flood towards the world's poorest
nations. The magnitude of these problems is yet to be documented. However, groups like Toxic
Links India are already working on collating data that could be a step towards controlling this
hazardous trade.
It is imperative that developing countries and India in particular wake up to the monopoly of the
developed countries and set up appropriate management measures to prevent the hazards and
mishaps due to mismanagement of e-wastes.
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

Considering the severity of the problem, it is imperative that certain management options be
adopted to handle the bulk e-wastes. Following are some of the management options suggested
for the government, industries and the public.
Responsibilities of the Government

(i) Governments should set up regulatory agencies in each district, which are vested with the
responsibility of co-ordinating and consolidating the regulatory functions of the various
government authorities regarding hazardous substances.
(ii) Governments should be responsible for providing an adequate system of laws, controls and
administrative procedures for hazardous waste management (Third World Network. 1991).
Existing laws concerning e-waste disposal be reviewed and revamped. A comprehensive law that
provides e-waste regulation and management and proper disposal of hazardous wastes is
required. Such a law should empower the agency to control, supervise and regulate the relevant
activities of government departments.
Under this law, the agency concerned should
o

Collect basic information on the materials from manufacturers,

processors and importers and to maintain an inventory of these
materials. The information should include toxicity and potential harmful
effects.

Identify potentially harmful substances and require the industry to test

them for adverse health and environmental effects.

Control risks from manufacture, processing, distribution, use and

disposal of electronic wastes.

Encourage beneficial reuse of "e-waste" and encouraging business

activities that use waste". Set up programs so as to promote recycling
among citizens and businesses.

Educate e-waste generators on reuse/recycling options

(iii) Governments must encourage research into the development and standard of hazardous
waste management, environmental monitoring and the regulation of hazardous waste-disposal.
(iv) Governments should enforce strict regulations against dumping e-waste in the country by
outsiders. Where the laws are flouted, stringent penalties must be imposed. In particular,
custodial sentences should be preferred to paltry fines, which these outsiders / foreign nationals
can pay.

(v) Governments should enforce strict regulations and heavy fines levied on industries, which do
not practice waste prevention and recovery in the production facilities.
(vi) Polluter pays principle and extended producer responsibility should be adopted.
(vii) Governments should encourage and support NGOs and other organizations to involve
actively in solving the nation's e-waste problems.
(viii) Uncontrolled dumping is an unsatisfactory method for disposal of hazardous waste and
should be phased out.
(viii) Governments should explore opportunities to partner with manufacturers and retailers to
provide recycling services.
Responsibility and Role of industries

1. Generators of wastes should take responsibility to determine the output characteristics

of wastes and if hazardous, should provide management options.
2. All personnel involved in handling e-waste in industries including those at the policy,
management, control and operational levels, should be properly qualified and trained.
Companies can adopt their own policies while handling
e-wastes. Some are given below:

Use label materials to assist in recycling (particularly plastics).

Standardize components for easy disassembly.

Re-evaluate 'cheap products' use, make product cycle 'cheap'

and so that it
has no inherent value that would encourage a recycling
infrastructure.

Create computer components and peripherals of biodegradable

materials.

Utilize technology sharing particularly for manufacturing and de

manufacturing.

Encourage / promote / require green procurement for corporate

buyers.

Look at green packaging options.

3. Companies can and should adopt waste minimization techniques, which will make a
significant reduction in the quantity of e-waste generated and thereby lessening the

impact on the environment. It is a "reverse production" system that designs infrastructure

to recover and reuse every material contained within e-wastes metals such as lead,
copper, aluminum and gold, and various plastics, glass and wire. Such a "closed loop"
manufacturing and recovery system offers a win-win situation for everyone, less of the
Earth will be mined for raw materials, and groundwater will be protected, researchers
explain.
4. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers should undertake the responsibility of
recycling/disposal of their own products.
5. Manufacturers of computer monitors, television sets and other electronic devices
containing hazardous materials must be responsible for educating consumers and the
general public regarding the potential threat to public health and the environment posed
by their products. At minimum, all computer monitors, television sets and other
electronic devices containing hazardous materials must be clearly labeled to identify
environmental hazards and proper materials management.
Responsibilities of the Citizen

Waste prevention is perhaps more preferred to any other waste management option including
recycling. Donating electronics for reuse extends the lives of valuable products and keeps them
out of the waste management system for a longer time. But care should be taken while donating
such items i.e. the items should be in working condition.
Reuse, in addition to being an environmentally preferable alternative, also benefits society. By
donating used electronics, schools, non-profit organizations, and lower-income families can
afford to use equipment that they otherwise could not afford.
E-wastes should never be disposed with garbage and other household wastes. This should be
segregated at the site and sold or donated to various organizations.
While buying electronic products opt for those that:
o

are made with fewer toxic constituents

use recycled content

are energy efficient

are designed for easy upgrading or disassembly

utilize minimal packaging

offer leasing or take back options

have been certified by regulatory authorities. Customers should

opt for upgrading their computers or other electronic items to the
latest versions rather than buying new equipments.

NGOs should adopt a participatory approach in management of e-wastes.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We thank the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and Indian Institute of
Science for sustained support in our research endeavor.
REFERENCES:

-Freeman M. H. 1989. Standard Handbook of Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal,

McGraw-Hill Company, USA.
-Third World Network. 1991. Toxic Terror: Dumping of Hazardous Wastes in the Third World,
Third World Network, Malaysia.

Effective Solid Waste Management - Role of Environmental Education Program

1.0 Introduction
The working title of the study is initially drafted as: Effective Solid Waste
Management - Role of Environment Education Program. In particular, the research will
focus on how environmental education program could effectively lead to effective solid
waste management. The paper discusses in detail the research proposal of the topic.
Solid waste management is the polite term for garbage management, a system of
handling the amount of garbage generated by human. In this research proposal, the
background and problem of the study are presented; the objectives of the study are

formulated. Here, vital concepts, questions and assumptions are stated. Finally, the
methodology to be used is discussed.

2.0 Background of the Study

Waste management refers to the collection, transportation, processing, recycling
and disposal of waste materials. These waste materials are solid, liquid, gaseous and
even radioactive substances. Managing these human-generated wastes requires
reducing their effect on health and the environment as well as recovering resources
from it. There are existing waste management methods that include disposal methods,
recycling methods and avoidance and reduction methods.
Despite the fact that waste handling and transport varies from region-to-region,
country-to-country, there are waste management concepts that are universally
accepted and implemented. These are the waste hierarchy or the 3Rs (reduce, reuse
and recycle), the extended producer responsibility (EPR) and the polluter pays
principle. Consolidating the matter directed on the implementation of a solid waste
management program in every region in every country. Solid waste management
programs, in particular, are designed to better manage solid wastes for the purpose of
protecting
Education is considered to be one powerful tool in making the people aware of
the importance of resource management. Sustainability is the main aim of education
programs, teaching the people regarding the unprecedented scale and speed of

environmental pollution and degradation and how they can and are going to contribute
to enhancing the environments present condition. Waste management in India is a
linear system of collection and disposal and urban India is facing a massive waste
disposal problem today.

3.0 Statement of the Problem

Whether there are environmental education program that aids in advocating
effective solid waste management is not known hence this study. At the grassroots level,
where there is direct contact with the Indian people, whether people understood the
aims of waste management programs is also not known. It is not known how the Indian
government makes the people aware and if they act on their learnings about solid waste
management.
The key problem that will be addressed in this study is how environmental
education program could likely to deliver effective solid waste management. The
following research questions will be given answer to in the course of the study.
1)

What are the environmental education programs that are inexistence and
implemented in India?

2) Are the people aware of these environmental education programs?

3) Are they applying the learnings that they acquire from these environmental
education programs?

4.0 Research Methodology

The research strategy that the study will utilize is the descriptive method. A
descriptive research intends to present facts concerning the nature and status of a
situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to describe present conditions, events
or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the respondents of the research
(Creswell, 1994). It is also concerned with relationships and practices that exist, beliefs
and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt, or trends that are developing
(Best, 1970). This research is also cross-sectional because of limited time. This
research is a study of a particular phenomenon (or phenomena) at a particular time.
(Saunders et al, 2003) Accordingly, cross-sectional studies often employ the survey
strategy, and they may be seeking to describe the incidence of a phenomenon or to
compare factors in different organizations.
In this study, primary and secondary research will be both incorporated. The
reason for this is to be able to provide adequate discussion for the readers that will help
them understand more about the issue and the different variables that involve with it.
The primary data for the study will be represented by the survey results that will be
acquired from the respondents. On the other hand, the literature reviews to be
presented in the second chapter of the study will represent the secondary data of the

study. The secondary sources of data will come from published articles from medical
books and journals and theses and related studies.
The survey method, also known as the questionnaire method, will be used in
gathering the data for this study. Surveys are the most common form of research
method for collection of primary data. The descriptive survey of the population is
valuable in understanding the audience, and in the definition of the existence and
magnitude of the problems, and the survey data are also helpful in determining cause
and effect relationships between variables. 300 Indian residents will be surveyed.

5.0 References
Best, J. W. (1970). Research in Education, 2nd Ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice
Hall, Inc.
Creswell, J.W. 1994. Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2003). Research Methods for Business
Students, 3rd Ed. London: Prentice Hall Financial Times.

6.0 Timeframe

TASK
Weeks
1st
Read literature
Finalize objectives
Draft literature
review

Devise research
approach
Review secondary
data
Organize survey
Develop survey
questions
Conduct survey
Analyze secondary
and primary data
Evaluate data
Draft findings
chapter
Complete remaining
chapters
Submit to tutor and

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

await feedback
Revise draft and
format for
submission
Print, bind and
submit

WASTE MANAGEMENT WITHIN URBAN AREAS IN UGANDA: A CASE STUDY

OF KYAZANGA TOWN COUNCIL, LWENGO DISTRICT.
WASTE MANAGEMENT WITHIN URBAN AREAS IN UGANDA; A CASE STUDY OF
KYAZANGA TOWN COUNCIL, LWENGO DISTRICT.

BY

NATAMBA SHADRACK

RS09M13/503

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES IN

PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF ARTS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES OF UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.

SUPERVISOR: MR. KIZITO MARTIN.

CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction.

Uganda like many countries in the world suffers from poor waste management. Poor
waste management is increasingly becoming a big problem in many cities in subsahara Africa and Kyazanga is no exception. This study will be conducted in
Kyazanga Town council, Lwengo District where by the researcher will be seeking to
explore the underlying causes of poor waste management in the Town Council and
by the end of it all, possible solutions will have been found.

It is important to note that waste management is not an isolated phenomenon that

can be easily classified and solved with one strategy. It is particularly an urban issue
that is closely related, directly or indirectly, to a number of issues such as urban
lifestyles, resource consumption patterns, jobs and income levels, and other socioeconomic and cultural issues. All these issues have to be brought together on a
common platform in order to ensure a long-term solution to urban waste.

This research acknowledges the fact that many scholars have written a lot on waste
management. Therefore, this research contains literature that has been reviewed
from different scholars that relate to the study. This literature helps the researcher
to be in position to relate and verify whether what other scholars have written could
be applicable to Kyazanga and also to identify the gap that these researchers have
not been able to identify.

Talking about methodology, this research being exploratory in nature, it will use
mixed methods approach because of the need to obtain a variety of information on
poor waste management. A non-probability sampling techniques like purposive and
quota sampling techniques will be employed. Questionnaires and interview guides
will be administered to those sampled to participate in the study about the causes
of poor waste management and these will be supplemented by observation. Data
will be analyzed in line with the research objectives and questions and
recommendations will be made accordingly.

Therefore, this study is seeking to validate what other scholars have written about
poor waste management as a whole and how applicable to the people of Kyazanga
Town Council.

1.1 Background of the Study

As earlier noted in the introduction, Poor waste management is not an individual

countrys problem but rather it is increasingly becoming a big problem in many
cities of the world. For instance, aaccording to the 1999 State of the Environment
Report for South Africa (DEAT, 1999), the country generates over 42 million m3 of
solid waste every year. This is about 0.7 kg per person per day, which is more
typical of developed countries than a developing country (by comparison the figure
in the UK is 0.73 kg, 0.87 kg in Singapore and 0.3 kg in Nepal). In addition, 5 million
m3 of hazardous waste is generated every year (DEAT, 1999). Every day 2.6 million
of domestic and commercial waste water is processed at treatment works. The last
figure does not include agricultural and some industrial waste, which are the largest
sources of waste (DEAT, 1999).

In Uganda like in many other developing countries, typically one to two thirds of the
waste generated is not collected (Zerbock, 2003). As a result, the uncollected

waste, which is often also mixed with human and animal excreta, is dumped
indiscriminately in the streets/wards and in drains, contributing to flooding,
breeding of insect and rodent vectors and the spread of diseases such as cholera.

Most researchers, have linked Waste generation directly to the size of population
and the various activities undertaken by different categories of the population
including large scale industries, small-scale industries, trading/businesses,
municipal, farming, household, schools and hospitals among others. Hence, it
clearly means that waste generation will increase with increasing population growth
(ibid).

In Kampala alone, waste generation estimations have been rated at 0.2 metric tons
per person annually on average (Ngategize et al., 2001). Therefore, considering an
urban population of 3.7 million people that is; 13.4% of the total population (Uganda
Population secretariat, 2007), it means that approximately 740,000 metric tons of
solid waste are generated in urban areas per year. Of this, only 41% solid waste
generated is disposed off properly (UNDP, 2005). The remaining 51% is left
uncollected thereby ending up dumped in drainage and sanitary drainage channels,
natural water courses, manholes, undeveloped plots and road sides among other
unfit places (NEMA, 2004)

Poverty Eradication Plan (PEAP) recognizes that waste management is almost nonexistent in Uganda. It denotes that for instance in Kampala, refuse is collected from
only 20% of the population and only half of it is disposed in a proper way with the
rest being dumped indiscriminately (PEAP, 2004/2005). Furthermore, little attention
has been given to waste water disposal and storm drainage. Drainage is poor and
limited to major roads and pathways.

Most local governments and urban agencies have, time and again, identified solid
waste as a major problem and this has been attributed to poor institutional
arrangements, poor technologies used and lack of the capacity to handle wastes.
This has reached proportions requiring drastic measures. We can observe three key
trends with respect to waste - increase in sheer volume of waste generated by
urban residents; change in the quality or make-up of waste generated; and the
disposal method of waste collected, by land-fill, incineration among others. In
relation to Kyazanga, the researchers efforts to find the related literature were

futile. However, as already mentioned, Kyazanga may not be unique from other
urban areas and this is why this study will be carried out to explore what is in
Kyazanga.

In conclusion, it is important that the right action be carried out at the right level.
Thus, actions at the household level should be predominantly social, technology and
economic in nature. Similarly actions to be taken at the state and nation level
should also be predominantly economic, political and administrative in nature.

1.2 Problem Statement.

Despite several efforts, legal and institutional frame works that are in place to
enhance proper waste management, there is still persistent poor waste
management in Uganda and Kyazanga inclusive. Legal frame works like the
constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 Article 245 (a) provides measures
intended-To protect and preserve the environment from abuse, pollution and
degradation, The National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, S.I. No
52/1999; The Local Government Act 1997, all have provisions of how all wastes shall
be properly managed among other regulatory frame works like

People seem not be caring about the way wastes are handled may be because of
the ignorance about the likely dangers of poor waste management and the
institutions like the Town Council has not played its part very well.

In addition to the above is the lack of proper institutional arrangements, poor

technologies like modern trucks and the lack of the capacity by the council to
handle the wastes generated. CBOs, Private, Town council or Public partnership

For instance, Studies indicate that each person in Kampala city produces 1 Kg of
solid waste per day (Tenywa et al., 2007). The waste generated in towns in Uganda,
Kyazanga inclusive is hardly collected and even what is collected is not sorted and
there is no gazetted area to dispose off wastes. Additionally, even the government
development programs rarely put waste management aspects into consideration for
instance the health facilities, public markets, schools among others. Furthermore,
there are limited appropriate technologies and practices for waste management and

also the limited capacity among stakeholders (technocrats, extension agents,

private sector etc) in addressing waste management issues.

This state of affairs has far reaching implications on community livelihoods and
environment posing great health risks for instance; solid waste at informal disposal
sites produces toxic gases, bad odour and creates air pollution. This has led to
increased incidences of diseases like cough, diarrhea, Fever among others, hence
increasing public expenditure on drugs. Yet a properly managed waste is wealth
(Zake et al 2008:6). Wastes have got enormous opportunities for instance metallic
containers can be used to make paraffin candles (tadoba), children toys, simple
local measuring cans, wrapping paper and envelopes out paper wastes, and waste
can be an alternative to generate fuel. A case in point is Kasubi community
development association which has resorted to using banana peelings to come up
with charcoal briquettes and this has made house hold energy conserved (EA,
2007). This problem of poor waste management requires innovative solutions and
one of the solutions could be a participatory approach where the local people are
involved to define the problem and then propose the solutions.

Therefore, this study will seek to explore the causes of poor waste Management and
seek the local peoples opinions on how the problem would be handled/mitigated.
The data to be gathered in this study will provide leaders with information relating
to how they may address or mitigate factors responsible for poor waste
management.

1.3 The purpose of the study

The purpose of this study will be to establish the underlying causes of poor waste
management and seek the local peoples opinions on how the problem would be
handled.

1.4.0 General Objective

To establish the causes of poor waste management in Kyazanga Town Council.

1.4.1 Specific objectives

 To find out the means used to collect, transport and dispose off wastes.

To establish the underlying causes of poor waste management in Kyazanga Town

Council from both the leaders and the local people.

To identify the possible solutions to archive proper waste management.

1.4.2 Research Questions.

What mechanisms are in place to collect, transport and dispose off wastes in the
town council?

What are the causes of poor waste management in Kyazanga T.C.?

Are there ways that can be employed to deal with poor waste management in the
council?

1.5 Scope of the Study.

The study will be conducted in Kyazanga Town council one of the Newest Town
Councils that gained status in July 2010, Lwengo district, which is located in the
Western wing of central region. The town council is bordered by Masaka in the east,
Rakai in the south, Lyantonde in the west and Sembabule in the North. The study
will focus on 100 respondents in the bid to establish the underlying causes of poor
waste management in Kyazanga Town Council and the study will be both a
quantitative and qualitative in nature.

The researcher intends to review documents, reports and collect data from 2005 to
date. The data collected will cover five years before Kyazanga gained a Town
Council status and after to be able to illustrate whether with the new status, the
problem of poor waste management has reduced, remained the same or increased.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This research is expected to generate more information to the already existing body
of knowledge in the area of waste management and to Kyazanga in particular.

Also the research findings will enlighten the policy makers, local leaders and the
local people of the gaps existing in the waste management. These findings will help
in drafting appropriate policies and the council will be in position to initiate
programs that will empower citizens and make them aware of the dangers of poor
waste management so that both the council and citizens would join efforts to solve
the problem at hand.

In addition to the above, the study will also provide future scholars and researchers
with information regarding the causes of poor waste management

1.7 Justification

It is highlighted that Africa is littered with non-engineered landfill sites and other
inefficient means of waste disposal strategies for instance; Incinerators with
inappropriate air pollution control devices. This unpleasant development has led to
some untimely human deaths, which was estimated to be up to 20,000 in a year
(NEMA, 1998).

Poor waste management has been found to result into pollution of both surface and
ground water through the leachate draining and impairing the permeability of soils
as well as blockage of drainage systems (NEMA, 1998). Studies in the KasubiKawala area have established that the count of harmful Coliforms (1980 cfu/ml),
Eschelica coli (540 cfu/ml) in protected springs far exceed the World Health
Organization (WHO) thresholds (0 cfu/ml).

It is against this background that the study on waste management is carried out to
explore the underlying causes to the challenges of waste management in Kyazanga
town.

1.8 Hypothesis

Lack of environmental awareness- has led to ignorance among the people about

the effects of poor waste management.

In addition, lack of enough trained man power and weak laws have made the
problem of waste management worse.

On top of the above, the institution has insufficient funds to facilitate the
collection, transport and dispose off such wastes.

Therefore, ignorance coupled with lack of enough trained man power, weak laws
and insufficient funds deepen the problem bigger.

1.9 Conceptual framework:

The conceptual frame work illustrates the relationship between the presumed
causes (independent variables like- lack of awareness, Ignorance by the local
people, Weak policies, Lack of enough trained manpower, Inadequate funds etc) of
poor waste management and the presumed effects (dependent variables)-what is
manifested as a result of the phenomenon.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK IS MISSING HERE BECAUSE OF TECHINICAL

REASONS.

From the above illustration, it can be observed that the presumed causes
(independent variables) lead to presumed effects (dependent variables).
Independent variables like lack of awareness lead to ignorance of the local people
about the effects of waste management, and lack of enough trained manpower and
weak policies and inadequate funds are presumed to lead to indiscriminative
dumping of wastes on roadsides; people will set structures like buildings without
dumping sites because of weak laws among others.

It should be noted that all those will lead to a number of Health problems and these
include; Infrastructure destruction, Contamination of water bodies and Sanitation
and hygiene.

However, it is presumed that strengthening the legal and institutional frameworks,

capacity building and funding inventory of hazardous waste among others will yield
several outputs like Proper waste management, improved health since the cause of
illness will have been dealt with, save income-that would have been spent on drugs
and also save the environment from being polluted among others.

CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

In this chapter, attempts were made to review relevant literature to help in the
understanding of poor waste management. The researcher acknowledges the fact
that there is some literature on waste management in Towns of Uganda and in other
countries of the world. Most of the literature reviewed was from the different
sources these text books, websites, News papers and journals. In this section, the
main purpose was to review issues related to waste management that has been
investigated by other researchers, in order to gain more insights into the subject
under the study and avoid duplications of efforts in this area.

2.2 Definition of terms and concepts.

Waste is a man-made substance in a given time and places which in its actual
structure and state is not useful to the owner or is an output without an owner and
purpose. In other words, waste is anything that we no longer need. It is also
commonly referred to as rubbish, trash, garbage, refuse, effluents and unwanted,
or unusable materials. (Zake J: 2007).

It is important to note that wastes take two forms that is; solid or liquid wastes;
Solid wastes refer to particles or materials which are no longer useful to their
owners and which require to be discarded. They are movable objects, which have no
direct use and or no current market value or no use to the individual that they
require to be disposed off. They are both organic/biodegradable for instance the
waste generated from animal and plant remains; it may be broken down by living

organisms such as bacteria, protozoa and fungi. This form of waste occurs as green
plant tissue waste, food remains, paper, animal and waste (faeces and urine), and
non-organic/non bio- degradable wastes, is that form of waste that cannot be
broken down by living organisms. It includes metals, polyethylene, most plastics
and rubber. Most non biodegradable wastes are produced from manufacturing
industries.

On the other hand, Liquid wastes refer to waste materials that contain full liquids.
These include waste water from industries, households; sewerage and leachates
from land fill or garbage heaps. This is equally harmful to the water sources hence
endangering both human beings who depend on such water sources and the
aquatic life. It also destroys the land and its level of productivity since some of
these wastes like grease, paints will deepen into the soils hence affecting the soil
alkalinity (Environmental Protection Agency, 2008).

The term Waste Management includes all issues and processes associated with the
generation, processing, and disposal of all categories of wastes produced by human
activities or related to human existence; it includes, therefore, the stages of
production and minimization, collection, handling and transportation, reuse and
recycling, and treatment and disposal of all such wastes. (Zake J, 2007)

Despite the fact that waste handling and transport varies from region to region,
country to country, there are waste management concepts that are universally
accepted and implemented. These are the waste hierarchy or the 3Rs (reduce,
reuse and recycle), the extended producer responsibility (EPR) and the polluter pay
principle.

According to NEMA (2000), Solid waste management encompasses generation,

collection, transportation and disposal of wastes. Authorities have the responsibility
to ensure safe, reliable and cost effective removal and disposal of solid waste
Garbage is collected from both the well to do households and poor ones.

Why undertake waste management?

Waste management is undertaken mainly to minimize the effect of wastes on

resource loss and conservation, health, environment, costs, and aesthetics. It incurs
financial and social and other costs including external costs. The term includes the
issue of regulation of the various aspects of management of wastes.

Waste management is the process by which products and by-products generated by

business and industry are collected, stored, transported, treated, disposed off,
recycled or reused in an effort to reduce their effect on human health. Therefore, a
properly managed waste; that is well collected and sorted recycled, treated,
disposed off hygienically will promote a clean and safe environment to live in. Waste
management is practiced by small businesses when they collect and sort their
wastes, recycle their wastes, treat their wastes, dispose of their wastes or
implement ways of reducing their waste (EPA, 2008).

2.3 Global perspective about waste generation and management.

According to the 1999 State of the Environment Report for South Africa (DEAT,
1999), the country generates over 42 million m3 of solid waste every year. This is
about 0.7 kg per person per day, which is more typical of developed countries than
a developing country (by comparison the figure in the UK is 0.73 kg, 0.87 kg in
Singapore and 0.3 kg in Nepal). In addition, 5 million m3 of hazardous waste is
generated every year (DEAT, 1999). Every day 2.6 million of domestic and
commercial waste water is processed at treatment works. The last figure does not
include agricultural and some industrial waste, which are the largest sources of
waste (DEAT, 1999).

2.4 challenges met in waste Reduction at the Global level.

Until recently, the focus in South Africa for example; has been on waste disposal
and impact controls or "end of the pipe" treatment (DEAT, 2000). However, this
focus has faced a number of challenges and these include:

Lack of waste avoidance, minimization and cleaner production technology

initiatives;

Lack of regulatory initiatives to manage waste minimization;

 Few incentives for reducing waste;

Industries not required submitting plans for waste disposal when applying to
establish new enterprises;

Inadequate resource recovery and a general lack of commitment to recycling no

legislation, policy or waste management culture that promotes resource recovery or
makes it financially viable; and

Lack of appropriate waste management strategies and treatment technologies

associated with these policies also have a negative effect on human health. In
addition to lack of a variety of appropriate waste treatment methods.

Some of the consequences of previous waste management policies include;

continued air and land pollution, the pollution of fresh and marine waters, resulting
in the disruption of ecosystem processes, habitat destruction and species loss. The
amount of waste produced also places increasing pressure on the country's landfills.
Increasing amounts of land set aside for landfills could lead to habitat destruction
and species loss.

2.5 Some of interventions globally.

A mere 13% of American waste is recycled (Anonymous, 1992). Recycling is a

resource recovery program, which extends the globe's mineral supply by reducing
the amount of virgin materials that need to be removed from the globe to meet the
demand. Resource recovery saves energy, causes minimal pollution and land
disruption, cuts waste disposal costs, and extends the life of landfills by preventing
waste from residing there.

The percentage of paper that is being recycled in other nations sends a clear
message to Americans: we are not doing enough. Americans only recycle 28% of
the paper they use, although they lead the world in paper consumption and paper
waste. France, Sweden, Switzerland and Finland recycle at least one-third of their
paper expenditures. Japan, Mexico, and the Netherlands are at a 44% rate, which is
the highest in the world. The American federal government alone uses two percent
of all paper products in this country, but half of the trash it throws away is paper

(Miller, 1990).

Greatly increased recycling in this country could be reached through several

measures. Some analysts claim that 50% to 80% of the nation's natural resources
could be recycled or reused by the year 2012. Some measures to achieve this
include enacting a national bottle bill into law, banning disposable plastic items,
requiring labels on products made with recyclable materials and the percentages
used, using education and advertisements to discourage the "throwaway"
mentality, requiring households to separate wastes for recycling (or offering
financial incentives for doing so), and decreasing subsidies for virgin-material
industries, and providing subsidies for secondary-material industries and waste
reduction programs.

Anything that is naturally degradable can be thrown into a compost bin. Food and
organic waste created by food processing plants, kitchens, galleys, animal feedlots,
yard work, and sewage treatment plants. Paper, leaves, and grass clippings can be
decomposed in this process in backyard compost bins, and the end result can be
used in gardens and flower beds.

Hazardous waste includes heavy metal contaminants (like lead and mercury),
medical and infectious waste, chemical waste, and nuclear waste. The latter is so
dangerous due to the extremely high toxicity, which remains that way for thousands
of years. The technology for safely and effectively treating and disposing hazardous
waste has not even come close to the technology for producing the stuff.

2.6 Ugandas perspective on waste management

In Uganda, the public has not taken any positive steps in solid waste management
practices like source reduction, re-using, recycling or properly disposing of the
portion that cannot be reclaimed. Instead the public has for the most part
maintained an I dont care attitude of generating as much waste as possible
unconscious of the implications for its collection and disposal (ERL 1990, KCC 1995
and NEMA 1996).

In Uganda, the solid waste generated comprises of 73% 0rganic waste; 5.3% paper;
1.7% saw dust; 1.6% plastics; 3.1% metals; 0.9% glass; 8% tree cuttings and 5.5%
street debris (Ngategize et al., 2001). Kampala city gives a good illustration of this
problem.

Since 1969, there has been a big increase in the volume of solid waste generated
due to the rise in population. In 1969, 198 metric tonnes were generated everyday
and currently 800 tonnes (800,000kgs) is being generated everyday according to
the Kampala City Council (KCC report: 2008).

In addition to the above, waste generation is directly proportional to population

increase. Even though high/medium income earners are fewer than low income
earners, and their per capita, waste generated by low income earners is more than
double the quantities generated by high income earners. However, the daily and
annual waste generation for low income earners is more than double that for high
income earners. This could be attributed to accumulation among low income
earners settlements due to inadequacies in waste collection services among others.

The greatest challenges facing Ugandas rapidly growing urban centres, is the
hazard of urban waste, according to the Globe Clean Services, business manager,
Rashid Magezi (cited in The New Vision 3rd April 2010). He adds that, The volume
of solid waste generated in urban centres in Uganda has been increasing mainly as
a result of the growing urban population, concentration of industries, consumption
habits of residents, inadequate finance and facilities to manage waste collection
and disposal Many Ugandans perceive waste collection as a luxury but not a
necessity. The concept of collecting garbage is still new to most people, since you
have to tell them a number of times before they can ingest the idea.

Magezi insists that garbage disposal in the urban areas is a real challenge compared
to rural Uganda where waste is mostly dumped in open places, gardens and open
pits. In addition waste in the rural areas is mostly organic.

2.7 What are the causes of poor Waste management in Uganda?

It is obvious to note that high-income households generate MORE wastes than low
income households but accumulation is higher in low income areas compared to
high income settlements due to availability of waste collection services. (ERL 1990,
KCC 1995, and NEMA 1996). Therefore, there are a number of causes of poor Waste
management in Uganda and these include but not limited to;

Lack of dumping sites where to deposit the solid waste. This is because the issue of
waste management is new in the country. It wasn't considered to be a problem
before. Currently, in Kampala, the dumping is done by the K.C.C. at Mpererwe, a
landfill made in 1996 after the former one at Lweza and Lubigi (ERL, 2008).

Ignorance of the masses about the need to dispose of these wastes well and how to
dispose of them (the wastes) off. There is lack of enough literacy programs on
Waste management which leaves most of the people backward on waste
management. This is because of poor or no sensitization of the masses by the
government and other organizations of Uganda.

Inefficient collection methods which is mainly due to lack of funds to provide the
necessary machinery. In Uganda, machinery like the trucks that carry the waste
from the various areas have poor covering systems such that even the waste goes
on leaking on the road while being transported, and even there are few places with
proper garbage containers or at times the containers are over flooded when there
are rain showers.

Poor government attitude towards waste management. From a citizen's point of

view, it is realized that very little money from the government is directed towards
waste management, with most of it going towards industrialization. This leads to
poor purchase of collecting equipment.

Another cause is poverty that exists in Uganda. This undoubtedly leads to masses
buying cheap non bio-degradable containers which are not easy to dispose off, and
also substitutes like paper bags are not easily available to poor urban dwellers.

Also the low price of these solid wastes especially polythene bags which are very
cheap as compared to other containers makes them very common, which makes
their proper disposal very difficult.

Lack of trained manpower/personnel to deal with garbage collecting machinery and

to ensure the proper disposal of the solid waste for example door to door collectors
in most advanced countries.

Lack of recycling facilitates in most parts of the country for instance most of the
polythene bags used are not recycled by the manufacturing industries and
Misallocation of funds and even embezzlement of the little funds allocated for such
work.

2. 8. Some of the human and environmental problems that can attributed poor
waste management.

It should be noted that inadequate waste collection by the relevant authorities and
the inappropriate methods used by other generators leave a lot of solid waste
unattended to. This is a source of pollution and provides breeding ground for rats,
fleas, mosquitoes among other. The consequences of poor waste management are
very complex (KCC; 2000). However, the major impacts include but not limited to:

Infrastructure destruction; Solid waste haphazardly dumped in manholes for

drainage, telephone cables, sewerage system, roadside drainage gutters creates
blockages and leads to floods across roads, streets, parks and other spaces. The
repair of underground telephone and electric cables is hampered as solid wastes
block manholes that would facilitate easy access. This makes repair works
expensive and man activities are disrupted because of constant service failures. The
blockage of drainage channels by mud, polythene and other solid wastes create
pools of water, which render transport during the rainy seasons messy and
eventually potholes develop on the roads. (NEMA 2000/2001).

Contamination of water bodies: Most of the solid waste generated in Kampala is

dumped in the wetlands and these are the major sources of domestic water to
Kampalas population. Though 50% of Kampalas populations have running water on
the premises (Kampala 1995) and more recent 2002 data indicates over 90%
accessing safe water. Even then some pipes pass via solid waste and sewerage sites
and water is bound to get contaminated since most of the pipes are very old. The
concern for contamination is due to current accessibility to safe water with 36% of
the population drawing their water from protected spring, 11% from unprotected
springs and 3% from open courses with their waters from the wetlands and
underground acquifers. (KCC; 2000).

These sources are contaminated through percolating leachates from decomposing

garbage, discarded oils from garages and some pit latrines in the low lying areas
directly touch the water table. Direct dumping is also evident on the shores of L.
Victoria and its catchment region and yet 3% of the population draws their water
directly from open sources (LAVLAC 2005). Generally Nakivubo swamp, which opens
in L. Victoria, has a high nutrient load as a result of rainfall run off from Kampala
City (Kansime and Nalubega 1998).

Sanitation and Health: Open dumping is the order of the day in Kampala City and
this has created unsanitary conditions on streets and pathways. Such irresponsible
dumping leads to unpleasant smells and are fertile grounds for breeding sites for
flies and other vectors. The scenery of flies, rodents and vectors scrambling for the
rotting solid waste is unsightly and unhygienic. All this results in the pollution of
both surface and ground water through leachate and impairing the permeability of
soils as well as blockage of drainage system (NEMA 2000/2001). The public is
threatened by communicable diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery etc.
Cases of cholera outbreak in Kampala are common, the most recent being early
2005. In a recent study of pollution load finding indicate high concentration of
nitrates near unofficial dumping grounds in the catchment of Natete River, (Lwasa,
Majjaliwa et al. 2006). This exacerbates environmental health problems in the urban
poor settlements of Kampala metro area.

Increased Presence of Garbage plastic mineral water bottles and Polythene Bags:
Most low-income settlements are littered with solid wastes and polythene bags. The
communities have been unable or unwilling to pay for garbage collection and
sanitation facilities. Some people regard garbage collection as the responsibility of
KCC using money from taxes. The study has established that there is lack of space
to place garbage skips while landowners do not allow placement of garbage skips
on their land. Coupled with lack of skips and inability of the private garbage

collectors to cope with the generation rate, solid waste dumping sites are a
common feature in Kampala especially in wetland and high-density residential
areas. Most conspicuous of the waste stream is the plastic wastes in different
categories from plastic bottles to polythene bags which are carried downstream in
the catchments by storm water and wind. These have become a nuisance in the city
and metro area.

It should be noted that the Government attempted to ban the polythene bags
production one year ago however, the government in its own way has failed to
control the problem of poor polythene waste disposal through its failure to enhance
strict rules that can help reduce the problem. The officials of the various
government organs have failed to provide sufficient supervision of the damping of
the wastes as a result, polythene waste are continually poorly damped and this is
hazardous to the community and the people living around it.

2.9 Policy context/frameworks for waste management in Uganda, International and

regional levels.

There are various laws that regulate the generation and management of solid
wastes in Uganda, and internationally though some are out dated. They include;

Agenda 21 - program of action for sustainable development

Agenda 21 is a comprehensive blue print for global actions for sustainable

development into the 21st century. Uganda being a member of the United Nations is
party and accountable to Agenda 21. It commits governments, United Nations
organizations, development agencies, nongovernmental organizations and
independent sector groups to implement programs and actions which would halt
and reverse the negative impact of human behavior on the physical environment
and promote and promote environmentally sustainable economic development in all
countries. In the context of waste management, Agenda 21 presents Section 21 on
environmentally sound management of solid waste, particularly highlighting
program areas and associated strategies to be implemented by all countries to
ensure proper waste management (Agenda 21, 1994). How this frame work has
been implemented is a question of debate.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Biodegradable solid waste decomposition generates green house gases (GHS) such
as Methane which contributes to depletion of the thin layer (Ozone) that protects
the earth from direct heat from the sun. Loss of this layer means that sun rays hit
directly on the earth resulting in temperature raises which influence climate on the
earth and these changes have manifest as global warming, prolonged droughts, and
unreliable rainfall. However, Uganda is signatory to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of the Kyoto Protocol. The UNFCCC
provides an international framework for mitigating causes of climate change and its
effects at both international and national level. For instance, the Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM) makes it possible for companies or countries that have to reduce
emissions under the Kyoto Protocol to invest in emission reduction projects in
developing countries. There is a need for exploring opportunities in the Clean
Development Mechanism to utilize the accumulated solid waste managed under the
land fill at Kiteezi for energy production

Linking waste management to the Millennium Development goals (MDGs)

Uganda subscribes to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United

Nations Charter. The targets under these eight goals respond to the worlds main
development challenges and are anticipated to be achieved by 2015. The MDGs are
drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that
was adopted by 189 nations-and signed by 147 heads of state and governments
during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. Addressing the challenges of
waste management and flood mitigation should be linked to the MDGs because they
directly and indirectly contribute to achievement of the targets under MDGs 1, 3, 6
and 7.

The constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 Article 245 (a) provides measures
intended-To protect and preserve the environment from abuse, pollution and

degradation. The National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, S.I. No

52/1999; Provides that all wastes shall be properly managed among other
regulatory frame works like The Local Government Act 1997.

The Town and country planning act 1964 provides a policy legal frame work against
which physical planning is done on urban settlements. It provides for the creation of
Town and country planning board, a body responsible for hand use planning
approval and gazzetting structural plans. However this law is out dated and in
effective to enforce compliance and discipline and this has greatly contributed to
irresponsible littering of garbage.

By the year 2025, it is estimated that Ugandas population will be about 54 million,
with over 30% living in urban areas. It is therefore important that policies are
designed to address potential adverse effects. Since population increase is said to
be one of the causes of rampant poor waste management.

2.10 Opportunities from wastes.

It should be noted that though the word "waste" refers to something that is "no
longer serving a purpose", something "without value" (as the Concise Oxford
Dictionary puts it), Obviously, however, certain people in certain circumstances
consider waste materials as a resource for their family, their livelihood, or their
enterprise. The so- called waste materials may serve as a crucial resource within
households. For example, oily milk packages may be used as fuel; leftover food may
be fed to pigs and goats; discarded cardboard may serve as walls and roofs of
houses. If that is the case, one can expect that household members re-value waste
materials and see their usefulness for different purposes, such as domestic utility,
saving on household expenditures, earning money, or other purposes (ERL, 2008).
Therefore, this study will be seeking to find out whether the people in Kyazanga
have some of these practices that serve to promote a clean and safe environment.

2.11 Gaps identified

Although several researchers have carried out a number of studies on the causes of

poor waste management and have provided a number of solutions to waste

management in different parts of this country and the world at large, it should noted
with concern that most if not all these studies have been carried out in big towns
like Kampala, Masaka, jinja, Mbale Mbarara among others and not in the small
emerging towns like Kyazanga. Therefore, this study will seek to validate whether
such causes of poor waste management and their solutions are applicable to
Kyazanga Town council and establish Proposals for Change and Improvement in
waste management.

2.12 Recommendation.

The inadequacies and inconsistencies in the Environmental policies in the context of

waste management at both national and local levels call for a comprehensive
national policy to guide and streamline waste management in Uganda. These
processes should be initiated by the all stakeholder in waste management sector.

CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Methodology

3.1 Introduction

This chapter presents the methods and tools that will be used to conduct the
research. It specifies the research strategy, sampling procedures, research
instruments and data analysis techniques that will be used to explore the
underlying causes of poor waste management and seek the local peoples opinions
on how the problem would be handled.

This chapter describes the methods and the procedures that will be used to conduct
the research. It also describes the research design (mixed methods) that is
qualitative and quantitative designs this is because of the need to obtain a variety

of information on the same issue, to use the strength of each method to overcome
the deficiencies that could come from using one design and to achieve a higher
degree of validity and reliability Data will be collected from two main sources,
primary and secondary. Primary sources of data will comprise mainly interviews,
and use of questionnaires. Secondary data will be collected from the already
existing documents about waste management at the Town Council.

3.2 Research design

The research strategy that the study will utilize is the descriptive method. A
descriptive research intends to present facts concerning the nature and the status
of the situation, as it exists at a time of the study and to describe the present
conditions, events or systems based on impressions or reactions of the respondents
of the research. This study will be concerned with the relationships and practices
that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt or
trends that are developing about poor waste management. The research will use
cross-section study and a mixed methods approach (i.e. qualitative and quantitative
designs) will be used. In this study, both methods will be utilized for instance the
qualitative opinions that will be got will be confirmed by statistical data. Finally, the
study intends to use in-depth interviews, observations (qualitative) as well as
survey and statistical records like graphs, pie-charts and tables (Quantitative).

3.3 Area and population of Study

The study will be conducted in Kyazanga Town council, Lwengo district one of the
newly created district formerly part of Masaka district. It is one of town councils that
form Lwengo district. It is located in the approximately 96 miles (154km) and 46 km
from Masaka along Masaka Mbarara Road and 10 km from Lwengo district
headquarters. The Town council has a total population of about 15832 of whom
4625 are female, 4432 are male and 6775 are children between 0-18 years. The
2002 Uganda national census estimated the population of Lwengo District at about
242,300. The exact population of the district as of December 2010 is not known.

The Population in Kyazanga is mixed with different tribes ranging from BanyankoleBakiga, Bafumbira, Banyarwanda and Baganda. The main activity of the people in
Kyazanga T.C is business- (small scale business); while other people are peasants
who go to the nearby village for farming since this is the main source of food and
livelihood survival. The Town Council houses the only Health centre IV in the district
and most of the educational institutions.

The nature and the characteristics of the Population in Kyazanga (mixed) and the
nature of the activities (small scale business) can be attributed to poor waste
management in the area, where a lot of waste is generated through their retail
businesses.

3.4 Sample size estimation and Selection criteria

The sample size will comprise of 76 respondents (local people- considering a

number of issues like residential, business-small or high etc) from different Wards of
Kyazanga T.C, 10 education institutions, 4 health centres/clinics and 10 the Local
leaders a total of 100 respondents. The researcher will use a non probability
sampling procedure where purposive and quota sampling techniques will be
employed. This is because, in purposive/judgmental sampling, the researcher will
purposively choose respondents who, in his opinion, are thought to be relevant to
the research topic. In this case the researcher is convinced that his judgment is
more important than obtaining a probability sample because the problem of waste
management is not a new phenomena therefore, to obtain relevant data, one must
choose relevant respondents. Whereas in quota sampling instead of dividing the
population into strata and randomly choosing of respondents, the researcher sets a
quota of respondents to be chosen in specific population groups, by defining the
basis of choice ( gender, education, status, wealth etc) and this still be used in
determining size.

3.5. Methods of Data collection

The researcher will use both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection
because qualitative methods involve the use of words rather than numbers; the
methods will involve descriptions of the study and this will help the researchers to
go beyond conceptions and generate and revise frameworks. This approach will
help the researcher to generate quality information that will give meaning to
numbers. While quantitative methods will involve the collection of numerical data in
order to explain, predict and control phenomena of interest and the data to be
collected will be presented as a table in numbers. The numerical data obtained will
be used to explain the social life of the people of Kyazanga in relation to waste
management. These methods will include, administering questionnaire, interviewing
and observation.

3.6 0 Tools to be used in research

3.6.1 The interview guide

The researcher will conduct personal interviews and at same time using observation
method where the occurrence of the social events or phenomenon will be recorded.
While interviewing, the researcher will be guided by both structured and
unstructured questionnaires which will work as interview guide. The researcher will
use questionnaires to people who can ably read and write, and interview guide to
people who cannot read or write hoping that these will be resourceful sources of
information.

3.6.2 Questionnaires

The questionnaire will comprise of sections like; the demography were the
respondents names, status, income level, type of apartment-rental or owned
among others will be asked, The will also consist of questions both open and closed
in which if answered well, will have exhausted the research objectives and question
However, the semi literate respondents, the questions will be translated into local
languages during interviews. The researcher believes that this method will give the
respondents enough time to reflect, concentrate and at times consult.

3.6.3 Secondary data

This is the use of the already collected data that was not specifically gathered for
the research question at hand. This data could be government or non-governmental
/ private statistics. The researcher will get information from the study of documents
about waste management; these documents will include the publications, annual
reports of the ministry of health, periodicals, journals, magazines and other
literature written by different knowledgeable scholar. This data will help the
researcher with the starting point for additional research.

3.7 Research Formalities

The research procedure begins by getting introduction letters from the university
which will be presented by the researcher to the authorities in Kyazanga to be

allowed to access secondary data, reports and carry out research in the areas.

3.8 Procedure for Data Collection-

Interview guides will be designed and reviewed by the researcher. Both open-ended
and closed-ended questionnaires will be used for data collection. Mostly closedended questionnaires will be used to collect easily analyzable data. A set of
question guides will be prepared for reference by the researcher and once
acceptable the questionnaires will be pre-tested before they are finally put to use.

Once the research proposal has been approved, two Research Assistants (R.As) with
a bias in social research will be oriented on this research and trained in
interviewing, data collection and data coding skills and then pre testing of
questionnaires.

At this point it is important to prepare a plan for data processing and data analysis
based on which aspects of data collection will generate qualitative and quantitative
analyzable data.

After scheduling the meeting with respondents, the research team will start with indepth interviews with key informants, followed by personal interviews each lasting
10-15 minutes. During all these sessions, the researcher will be the moderator while
one of the R.As will be taking down notes and the whole team will carefully listen
and observe the conversations.

3.9 Data Analysis and interpretation

It should be noted that, data obtained from the field in raw form is difficult to
interpret. The initial data collected will be subjected to quality checks, to ensure
that the recordings were correctly done with minimal errors. This will entail editing,
repeating interviews where necessary, coding, summarizing, categorizing and
grouping similar information, analyzing according to the theme of the study. It is
important to note quotations and observations made during the interviews and their
sources or the name of the interviewee. All the questionnaires must be analyzed
whether completed or not.

Data analysis and processing will be on-going and statistical analysis will be done
manually and where possible using Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets, frequencies of the
emerging issues are then established and this will be presented in a tabular or
graphic form like pie-chats, bar graph and frequencies and percentages will be
generated.

Care will be taken to avoid discarding any data, as this could be reverted to in later
analysis. Relevant quotations will be ear-marked. Analysis will be done manually,
identifying areas of emphasis according to themes and the responses summarized
in a narrative form as a presentation of the major findings of the study.

At the end of it all, it is from the results of analysis that the researcher will be able
to make sense of the data and he will give his interpretation and discussion of the
data obtained in relation to phenomenon poor waste management.

3.10 Dissemination of the results

After researcher is done with analyzing data, he will distribute the findings to the
areas / offices that will be helpful during data collection exercise. For instance, Town
council offices and the council Health inspect, enable them update their information
and to discover the gaps in the policy about waste management. The university will
retain a copy of approved dissertation for academic reference and the researcher
will retain a copy.

3.11 Ethical consideration

The researcher will seek permission from the local council leaders in order to allow
him collect data

He will not include of the names of the respondents.

The researcher will explain the purpose of research to the respondents

3.12 Limitations of the study and possible way forward.

The study will be comprehensive and the researcher will use considerable finances
to execute the study successfully. However, despite the envisaged limitations of
logistical and financial difficulties, the researcher will endeavor to get the required
resources to complete the study within the required time frame.

The researcher believes to find uncooperative respondents just as he experienced

during his undergraduate research but he intends build a rapport first. He believes
this will help to build a strong bond with the respondents which will in getting the
required information.

Time factor; this will be the greatest challenge for the research. There will be limited
time period for a researcher to go the field, make introductions, carry out research,
collect data, interpret the findings and then write a scholar report.

3.13 Conclusion:

All in all, the chapter shows the methodological framework that will guide the
researcher in the collection and analysis of data acquired from the different study
respondents.It shows the various data collection techniques that will enable the
researcher to get all the required information that is needed for this research. It
brings out the particular category of people that will be involved in this research
and why they are picked upon.

3.14 References

DEAT and DWAF (1999). National Waste Management Strategies and Action Plans
for South Africa. Strategy Formulation Phase. PMG 130. DEAT and DWAF, Pretoria.

Environmental Monitoring Association Limited, Kampala Uganda.

Environmental Resource Limited (ERL), (2008); Solid Waste DisposalKampala

Municipal Solid Waste Management. UNEP Technical Publication 6, Nov. 1996.

National Environment Management Authority, 2000

NEMA,(1998). Caring for our Environment A Handbook for Local leaders, NEMA in
conjunction with Friedrich Ebert stiftung (FES).

Ntategize P, et al, (2000). Draft Strategic Plan for Solid Waste Management for Mpigi
District,

Nyakaana et al. 2006), population, urban development and environment in Uganda;

the case of Kampala city and its environs. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

Ntategize et al., (2001), solid waste management strategic plan for Mpigi district,
Uganda

The National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, 1999.

The National Environment Act (NEA) (1999); The Republic of Uganda

The constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995

Uganda http://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/upload/uganda/uganda%20HDR
%202005.pdf

UNDP, (2005), Uganda Human Development report, United Nations Development

Program, Kampala, Uganda,

UNEP. (1996). International Source Book on Environmentally Sound Technologies for

Zake J, Yawe A, Lutalo R and Kaweesa M (2007), A Base line survey Report for
Sustainable Neighbours if focus cities project. Environmental Alert, Kampala,
Uganda

Zerbock O. ( 2003).Urban Solid Waste Management, Waste Reduction in Developing

Countries. Available on http://www.cee.mtu.educ/peacecorps/documentsjuly03.wastereduction and incineration FINAL. PDF.

4.0 Appendices.

4.1 Appendix 1: Time frame

TASK Weeks

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th

Make collections in proposals.

Finalize the research tools

Training of R.As

Pre-test the research tools

Review secondary data at the T.C.

Collect raw data

Analyze secondary and primary data

Evaluate data

Draft findings

Complete remaining chapters

Submit to Supervisor and await feedback

Revise draft and format for submission

Print, bind and submit

4.2 Appendix 2. QUESTIONNAIRES

My name is Natamba Shadrack; a student of Uganda Christian University. I am doing

this study as a partial fulfillment for the Award of a Master of Arts Degree in
Development Studies. This questionnaire was drafted to the researcher in exploring
the causes of Poor waste management in Kyazanga Town council, Lwengo district.
Please answer all the questions with honest. The information you will give is purely
academic and it will be treated with a lot of confidentiality. I am requesting you to
kindly participate in this study by responding to the following questions.

Section A: Background Characteristics

Area

Name of Respondent (Optional)

Circle the income level category. A) High B) middle C) low income

Category of the premise of collection (tick the applicable option).

Residential.schools health centres. Business..

Bio-data

1) Position of Respondent (circle the right option)

(a) Health Inspector

(b) Head of household

(c) Head of school/Teacher

(d) Head of the Health centre

(e) Owner of the business

(f) Spouse of head of the establishment

(g) Other, please specify

2) What is your age? (Circle the right option)

(a) Under 24

(b) 25 34

(c) 35 44

(d) 45 54

(e) 55 - 64

(f) Over 65

3) What is your level of education? (Circle the right option)

(a) none

(b) Primary school

(c) Secondary/high school

(d) Tertiary/institution of higher learning

(e) Others (please specify)

4) Occupation of the respondent (Circle the applicable option).

i) Peasant farmer

ii) Business person.

iii) Professional

iv) Others specify..

5) How long have you been a resident in Kyazanga?

(a) Less than a year

(b) More than a year but less than three years

(c) More than three years but less than ten years

(d) More than ten years

(e) Any other, please state ..

6) Is waste management a problem in this area? Yes No

7) In your opinion, how serious is the problem of waste management (a) Very
serious

(b) Somewhat serious

(c) Not serious

(d) Dont know

8) What forms of wastes are commonly generated in your apartments? (Circle the
most applicable opinion). (a) Plastic wastes like Polythene bags and other plastics.

(b) Food stuff wastes

(c) Metal wastes

(d) Paper wastes

(e) Others specify

Choose the most applicable response

9) Approximately, estimate the quantity of waste produced in your household per

week in Kilograms?

10) Does your house hold or apartment have a waste container? a) Yesb) No

11) If yes what type of container? ..

12) Who provided the container that is used on your premise?

(a) Self

(b) Town Council

Private company.

Others

13) If No, how to do you collect your wastes ..

14) How often do you empty you container (a) Several times each day

Daily

Three times a week

Twice a week

Once a week

Less frequently

Dont know

15) Where do you empty your container from? a) Within the same apartment

b) Just outside the apartment

c) In the open space

d) Onto the collection vehicle

16) How long does it take to collect that accumulated pile for disposal? (a) Several
times each day

(b) Daily

(c) Three times a week

(d) Twice a week

(e) Once a week

(f) Less frequently

(g) Dont know

17) Does your household receive a collection service of any type? (a) Yes

(b) No

(c) Dont know

18) If yes, who collects garbage from your neighborhood or household? a)

Self/private arrangement

b) Town Council

c) Private company.

d) others specify..

19) If No how do you dispose off your wastes?

20) How are the collected wastes transported? a. Use wheel barrow

b. The companys /the T.C s vehicle

c. Any other specify

21) Do you think the acquisition of the Town Council status made any improvement
in waste management?

..

Before T.C (July 2010 and below). After the TC (July 2010 to date)

22) The Level of satisfaction by the individuals who receive the services. Please
write E-excellent, G-good, F-fair and p-poor. Please write E-excellent, G-good, F-fair
and p-poor.

a) What is your opinion of the service that you are receiving for collection of solid
waste from your household/establishment?

b) How do you rate the satisfaction with the frequency of garbage collection in your
area?

c) Did/Do you pay for solid waste collection and transportation? Please state yes or
no below Please state yes or no below.

d) How much do/did you pay as garbage collection fees? Please state in Uganda
shillings.. Please state in Uganda shillings below

e) How would/do you rate the amount charged on collection (fees)?

..

f) How often do pay to the service providers .

23) What do you think is the cause of poor waste management in your
neighborhood.

24) What are the indictors of poor waste management in this area?

..

..

25) What do you consider the most urgent effects related to the poor waste
management in your neighborhood?

..

..

26) Are you aware of any legal or institutional frame work that is there to address
some of the poor waste management issues in your area? If so please list them.

..

..

27) To what extent do you think the issues of enforcement to ensure compliance
with the waste ordinance/law are taken seriously? Give your reason.

..

..

28) What are some of the interventions you would propose to help in improving the
situation of waste management in your neighborhood

9) Do you think waste can be of value?

Explain..
The steps taken by the government are laudable: National Green Tribunal (THE
HINDU NEWSPAPER 29.09.2013)

The State government on Friday submitted before the National Green Tribunal, Southern Bench,
that it had created a special fund of Rs. 250 crore for solid waste management (SWM) in all local
bodies.
Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department told the Bench, comprising judicial
member Justice M. Chockalingam and Prof. R. Nagendran, which was hearing a batch of
applications, challenging the location of SWM facilities in municipalities such as Pallavaram,
Tambaram, Rasipuram, Kallakurichi and the proposed facility in Kuthambakkam by the Chennai
Corporation. The Bench had earlier directed the Commissioner of Municipal Administration
(CMA) to file a report after identifying three sites in each district.
As directed by the Tribunal, V. Murugesan, assistant executive engineer, filed a status report on
Municipal Solid Waste Management, describing the steps taken by the department.
S. Saravanan, counsel for the department, said the government had issued orders creating a fund
for solid waste management activities for all local bodies by pooling an amount of Rs. 250 crore
per annum during the award. Out of that, an amount of Rs. 150 crore per annum shall be pooled
as a separate fund for local bodies and Rs. 100 crore per annum for urban local bodies. The
amount shall be released based on need.
The government also decided to constitute a project sanctioning committee for approving the
projects under the Solid Waste Management Fund under the chairmanship of Secretary of
Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.
The Commissioner of Municipal Administration was asked to send necessary proposals to the
government for creation of posts for the State Level Solid Waste Management Cell. The
department was implementing different schemes in 43 urban local bodies for waste management
activities.

Recording its appreciation over the steps taken, the Bench said, The steps taken by the
government for creation of a special fund and project sanctioning committee are laudable.
Posting the matter on October 30 for further hearing, the Bench directed the department to file
another status report on its plans in respect of areas which were not covered so far.
Keywords: National Green Tribunal, National Green Tribunal special fund, Solid waste
management, Tamil Nadu local bodies

Soid Waste Management Department:

Headed by a Superintendent Engineer, the department looks after removal of solid waste which
is a major responsibility of the Corporation. Every day 4500 MT of garbage is collected and
removed from the city. Night conservancy is being carried out in all important roads and
commercial areas of the city. Door to door collection of garbage is prescribed in all zones.
Generation
Per capita Generation per day
Estimated Generation of Solid Waste Per
day

700gms

Garbage 4500 MTs.Building debris 700 MTs

Composition

Physical
Food waste

8.00 %

Green waste

32.25 %

Timber(wood)

6.99 %

Consumable plastic

5.86 %

Industrial Plastic

1.18 %

Steel & Material

0.03 %

Rags & Textiles

3.14 %

Paper

6.45 %

Rubber & Leather

1.45 %

Inerts

34.65 %

Chemical Analysis
Moisture Content

27.60 %

PH Value

7.68

Organic Content

39.06 %

Carbon content

21.53 %

Nitrogen Content

0.73 %

Phosphorous P2 O5

0.63 %

Potassium K 2 O

0.63 %

Waste Generation By Category:

Residential

68 %

Commercial

16 %

Halls, Schools, Institutions

14 %

Industrial

2%

Hospitals & Clinics

Separately disposed by Hospitals.

Solid Waste

Primary Collection

Fully with Manpower

Conservancy Operation 6.30 am to 10.30 a.m. & 2.30 p.m to 5.00 p.m

For compactors and tricycles from 6.30 a.m to 1.30 p.m.

Night Conservancy between 9.00 pm to 2.00 a.m.

Each worker has been assigned with work schedule

Implements Used

Brooms

Baskets (Bamboo and Aluminum)

Brushes

Iron Plate (Penku)

Containerised push carts

Tricycles

Roto mould wheeled bins

Activity

Sweeping, collecting, storing in the specific bins.

Door to door collection of garbage

Collecting the Source Separated Waste from the House holds by Tricycles or
Light Motor Vehicles for unloading in transfer stations.

Secondary Collection: (Transportation)

Street to disposal site.

Transportation to disposal site from transfer station.

Route schedules for each and every vehicle for each trip.

No. of Trips

Heavy Vehicles 2 trips per day.

Light Vehicles 4 trips per day.

Transfer Stations
No. of Transfer station available
Daily quantity of Waste transferred to
transfer station

8 + 3 (Added area)
4000 tons of garbage

Waste Disposal
At present Open dumping and partly covering with debris. For remediation of the existing
Landfill or scientific closure, International Expression of Interest were called and the developers
were short-listed and the Request For Proposal is under preparation.
Number of Disposal Sites : Two
Dumping Ground:
Kodungaiyur
Location

Kodungaiyur

Extent

Area around 200 acres.

Total number of years in use

30 Years

Neighborhood

Within one K.M (are in existence)

Daily Waste disposed

2100 to 2300 M.T

Perungudi
Location

Perungudi

Extent

Area around 200 acres .

Neighbourhood

Within 0.5 KM (formed after dumping)

Number of years in use

25 years

Daily waste disposed

2200 tons to 2400 MT

Best Practices

Source Collection
Collection of Municipal Solid Waste at source(Door to door collection) has been implemented in
all Zones. About 95% of the households were covered under this programme.

This has been achieved only on introduction of Tricycles which stands as a wonder tool for better
collection of MSW at door steps. Now about 2800 Tricycles are put in use. This has resulted in
reduction of dust bins on road side.
Source Segregation
Source separation is promoted to reduce the waste coming to the Landfill, thereby increasing the
life time of the Landfills.

Source separated bio-degradable waste (Organic Waste) can also be homecomposted and used.

Source separated recyclables can be sent to recyclable units and only the
inserts can be sent to landfills.

Media And Communication

Print Media

Multilingual pamphlets& Newspapers

Mass Contact

Rallies &Street plays

Involve Stakeholders

NGO's + Welfare Associations

Electronic Media

Awareness and Advertisements through

Radio

Manpower
Permanent
No. of Sanitary Workers

11184

No.of Vacancy

1520

No.of Temporary daily wage workers

567

Infrastructures Created

Modern Transfer Station constructed at Zone-IV,V,VI, VIII, IX, X and

XIII at a cost of Rs. 14.00 Crores

Cement concrete road to a length of about 1 K.m has been laid for
the passage of vehicles for disposal of garbage at Kodungaiyur
Dumping ground at a cost of Rs.2.5 Crores.

Construction of Compound Wall at Kodungaiyur dumping ground has

been completed at a cost of Rs.2.00 Crores.

12 Nos. of Surveillance cameras were fixed at Koundugaiyur and

Perungudi Dumping Ground for monitoring the activities from the
Headquarters at a cost of 10.24 Lakhs.

All open garbage collection lorries were replaced by compactor

vehicles for the transportation of garbage in a covered manner at
the same time reducing the garbage in its volume by compacting
them at a cost of Rs.42.00 crores

Procured 15 Nos. of Shredding Machines in zones-1 to 15 at a total

cost of Rs.23.2 lakhs for shredding thin plastics below 40 micron
and shredded plastics are being used for laying of roads

New Proposals

Expression of Interest were called and developers were short listed and preparation of RFP
documents are in process for the following new proposals.
1. Setting up of waste processing facilities
2. Reclamation of landfill sites at Kodungaiyur and Perungudi
3. Privatization of conservancy operations.
With the Perungudi and Kodungaiyur dumps overflowing, the Corporation is looking
for a new dump yard. But landfills are no solution, experts tell Nidhi Adlakha. The
city needs is a long-term plan that focuses on segregation and recycling

With Swachch Bharat Abhiyan the catch phrase of the day, officials across cities are scrutinising
waste management systems. Chennai generates approximately 5,000 metric tonnes of waste per
day. A survey conducted in Ward 173 by Transparent Chennai (TC) revealed that 74 per cent of
the waste generated by households and small commercial establishments is organic and 12 per
cent inorganic. The survey also found that 17 per cent of the total waste generated is recyclable
with a proper waste management system. Vijay Senthil Kumar, a researcher at TC, says,
Chennai used effective and sustainable waste management in the early 90s but today only some
pockets such as Harrington Road, MRC Nagar, Keshavaperumalpuram, and Boat Club use
segregation and door-to-door collection.

Sadly, the city lags way behind in sustainable waste management. Shobha Menon, founder and
managing trustee, Nizhal, says, When we begin to make changes in our lifestyle and
surroundings, we can reduce the mountain of garbage we generate. Sensitive strategies tried and
tested in other Indian cities can be implemented here. Vijay adds, Its high time the
Corporation enforced strict rules on residents and commercial institutions for waste management.
It should take a tough stand against commercial institutions that dump garbage at Corporation
dumpsites without a fee. This will force them to take greater responsibility. And possibly
encourage recycling.
The dump yards at Perungudi and Kodungaiyur are reaching their maximum capacity and will
reportedly overflow by next year. Officials plan to close them down and start a new landfill on
the outskirts of the city.
However, say experts, the long-term solution lies in creating integrated and decentralised solid
waste management models. Systems need to be put in place to manage different kinds of waste.
Says Vijay, Dumping into a landfill cannot be the final solution. We have proposed a
decentralised zero waste management model to the Corporation in which we have stressed on
mandatory source segregation, comprehensive door-to-door collection, and establishment of
resource recovery parks at the ward level. Community participation and monitoring are central to
the model.
M. B. Nirmal, founder, ExNoRa International, says that we lost almost 90 per cent of the
marshland at Pallikaranai, Perungudi and Kodungaiyur due to indiscriminate garbage dumping.
He says: Waste is not waste until it is wasted. If we follow this mantra, waste will be converted
into wealth. Three levels of waste management systems must be put into practice Source
Solid Waste Management (at the home, office, school level); Decentralised Solid Waste
Management (at the street, colony, ward level); and Centralised Solid Waste Management (final
level where residual waste alone is dealt with, which should be barely 20 per cent), says Nirmal.
Source segregation and recycling are important and need to start at the household level. The TC
study finds that people are ready to adopt source segregation provided they are given a proper
system of door-to-door collection every day and they see that their effort is yielding results.
Both the government and citizens are accountable for keeping the city clean. Any effort can
bear fruit only when they work hand-in-hand, says Vijay.
Keywords: Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, cleaning garbage

State Plans Solid Waste Facilities in 2,000 Villages

By Express News Service
Published: 12th April 2015 06:00 AM

Last Updated: 12th April 2015 04:18 AM

Email 0

CHENNAI: The State government has decided to establish Solid Waste Management System
with recycling and waste disposal facilities in 2,000 village panchayats.
To be implemented as a pilot project, the villages would be selected from across Tamil Nadu on
the basis of certain prescribed norms. A sum of Rs 110 crore would be spent for establishing the
facilities.
According to a government order (GO) issued in this regard on March 26, there is a need for
sustainable solid waste management system to be set up in all the villages expeditiously, in a
phased manner.
Implementation of solid and liquid waste management on a project mode is a time consuming
process as it involves preparation of Detailed Project Reports through technical experts, scrutiny
of its sustainability and sanction at State level and creation of necessary infrastructure as per the
Project requirements, the GO pointed out.
To expedite the process of covering more number of villages, initially solid waste management
with recycling and waste disposal facilities would be established in 2,000 village panchayats.
This can be implemented simultaneously and in addition to the Solid and Liquid Waste
Management projects that are being proposed by the districts.
Solid Waste Management activities in the identified village panchayats would include collection,
removal and safe disposal of waste with the participation of every member of the village
community.
Village panchayats with more than 10,000 population, those panchayats in peri-urban areas,
panchayats of tourism and pilgrimage importance, panchayats with major bus stands and railway
stations handling floating population, panchayats with larger industrial/commercial
establishments/ educational institutions, panchayats along four-lane roads, OMR, ECR and
National Highways, panchayats with big shandies and panchayats functioning as block and taluk
headquarters would be selected for this pilot project, according to the GO.