UPSC Prelims 2019 Q59: Environment & Ecology – Pollution & Waste Management
- (a) Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories.
- (b) The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only.
- (c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
- (d) It is mandatory on the part of waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.
Answer: (c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
Explanation
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
| Option | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | Segregate waste into five categories | FALSE | Segregation is into THREE categories: (i) biodegradable/wet, (ii) non-biodegradable/dry (recyclable), (iii) domestic hazardous. Not five. |
| (b) | Rules apply only to ULBs, notified towns and industrial townships | FALSE | 2016 Rules apply to a wider set of entities including census towns, notified areas, airports, railway stations, defence establishments, SEZs, pilgrimage places etc. Not just those three. |
| (c) | Provides exact and elaborate criteria for identifying sites for landfills and waste processing facilities | TRUE | Schedule I of SWM Rules 2016 lays down detailed criteria for site selection - distance from habitation, airport, water body, geology, hydrology, floodplain etc. |
| (d) | Waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another | FALSE | Rules DO allow inter-district movement of waste for processing - no such absolute bar. |
Answer: (c).
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Segregation is into THREE categories (wet/dry/hazardous), not five.
- (b) Incorrect. Rules apply broadly - to census towns, airports, railway stations, SEZs, defence, pilgrimage sites etc.
- (c) CORRECT. SWM Rules 2016 (Schedule I) provide detailed and exact criteria for identifying landfill and waste processing facility sites - distance from habitation, airports, water bodies, floodplains, geological suitability etc.
- (d) Incorrect. There is no absolute ban on inter-district movement of waste.
Key point
SWM Rules 2016: Three-way segregation (wet, dry, hazardous). Wide applicability (ULBs, census towns, airports, SEZs, defence etc). Schedule I = detailed landfill site criteria. Producer/importer responsibility for packaging.
Remember
Under the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, the correct statement is that the Rules provide exact and elaborate criteria (Schedule I) for identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities. Waste generators segregate into THREE categories (not five), the Rules apply broadly (not only to ULBs), and inter-district movement is allowed.
Common mistakes
- Confusing three-way segregation with five-category (used in some private waste schemes).
- Assuming Rules apply only to municipalities - they apply broadly.
- Not knowing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging producers is embedded in the rules.
Exam tip
SWM Rules 2016 highlights: (i) 3-way segregation at source. (ii) User fee for waste collection. (iii) EPR for producers. (iv) No landfill without processing first. (v) Schedule I = landfill site criteria. (vi) TSDF/CBWTF for hazardous streams. Complements Plastic Waste Management Rules, e-Waste, BMW Rules.
Sources
- MoEFCC - Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 (full text and Schedule I)
- CPCB - SWM implementation guidelines