Solid Waste Management at Hill Tourist Destinations: Parliamentary Q&A
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change provided a written reply in Rajya Sabha on July 23, 2026, detailing the framework and funding for solid waste management in hill tourist destinations. This highlights the government's focus on addressing waste challenges in ecologically sensitive mountainous regions.
Background
Solid waste management in hill areas is challenging due to difficult terrain, seasonal tourist influx, and fragile ecosystems. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, include special provisions for such regions. Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 and Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) provide central assistance to states.
Key facts
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 mandate segregation of waste into four categories: wet, dry, sanitary, and special care waste.
Bulk waste generators have extended responsibility for collection, transport, and processing of waste.
Online tracking and monitoring of all waste management stages is required via a centralized portal.
Special provisions for solid waste management in hilly areas and islands are included in the rules.
Under SBM-U 2.0, total mission allocations for solid waste management in hill states include: Jammu & Kashmir ₹131.70 crore, Assam ₹118.30 crore, Uttarakhand ₹89.00 crore, Nagaland ₹38.54 crore, Himachal Pradesh ₹36.50 crore, Arunachal Pradesh ₹33.20 crore, Tripura ₹23.00 crore, Manipur ₹23.90 crore, Mizoram ₹22.20 crore, Meghalaya ₹16.80 crore, Sikkim ₹6.20 crore.
Under SBM (G) for 2024-25, central share allocations include: Assam ₹356.15 crore, Jammu & Kashmir ₹245.00 crore, Meghalaya ₹107.64 crore, Tripura ₹75.22 crore, Uttarakhand ₹48.68 crore, Himachal Pradesh ₹44.17 crore, Nagaland ₹27.59 crore, Mizoram ₹17.68 crore, Arunachal Pradesh ₹14.82 crore, Sikkim ₹14.79 crore, Manipur ₹2.00 crore.
CPCB compiles and publishes annual reports on implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules, available on its website.
Funding for NE and Himalayan states under SBM is in 90:10 ratio (Centre:State).
Prelims pointers
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0)
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) [SBM (G)]
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- 90:10 funding ratio for NE and Himalayan states under SBM
- Four waste categories: wet, dry, sanitary, special care
- Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility
Mains angles
- Discuss the challenges of solid waste management in hill tourist destinations and evaluate the effectiveness of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 in addressing them.
- Critically examine the role of Swachh Bharat Mission in improving waste management in ecologically sensitive areas, with special reference to funding mechanisms and implementation gaps.