Rajkot has converted a decades-long dumping ground into a 20-acre green urban forest, a prime example of a key milestone in India's drive to eradicate legacy waste.
The project, which was undertaken under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), is a part of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs' "Lakshya Zero Dumpsite" programme, which was initiated to encourage sustainable waste management across the nation.
The city was grappling with around 16 lakh tonnes of legacy waste stockpiled at the Nakrawadi dumping ground, which traditionally took in the entire day's municipal solid waste of the city — almost 700 tonnes.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation restored the ground, converting the polluted dump into a thriving, green belt.
The conversion underwent a comprehensive waste analysis and processing plan. The waste was segregated by utilizing sophisticated machinery into refuse-derived fuel (RDF), semi-compost, and inert.
The RDF was processed at a waste-to-energy plant located in Jamnagar, whereas inert was disposed of securely in a Secured Landfill Facility. Over 50,000 tonnes of semi-compost were utilized for land levelling as well as enrichment of land.
To further reclaim the area, approximately 2.35 lakh indigenous and quick-growing trees were also planted following the Miyawaki method.
A 12-kilometre pipeline was laid to link the area with the Gauridad Sewage Treatment Plant to provide an adequate supply of secondary treated water for irrigation purposes.
Water-harvesting ponds and drip and sprinkler irrigation facilities were also employed to enable effective use of water as well as groundwater recharge.
Authorities stated that the project was also faced with a number of challenges such as the volume of waste, odour pollution, health hazard to residents and workers, as well as monsoon interruption.
Severe contamination needed extensive land treatment, while material and RDF transport added logistical complexity. The necessity for efficient irrigation also needed the development of mass-scale infrastructure.
In spite of these hurdles, the initiative has resulted in notable environmental, economic, and social dividends. By reusing waste into useful resources, the project encourages the circular economy and the conservation of raw materials.
The utilization of treated water minimized the use of fresh water, facilitating long-term sustainability.
The project has also contributed positively to public health in terms of enhancing air quality through reforestation and emission reduction from rotting waste. Employment opportunities have been generated by engaging local self-help groups and volunteers in plantation and upkeep activities.
This community participation has, in turn, increased awareness regarding sound waste practices and social inclusion.
Economically, it facilitates income generation through energy and compost recovery and relieves the municipal body from financial burden. The green cover has potential for eco-tourism and is an important lung for the city.
Rajkot's model serves as an indication of the potential for cities to meet the twin challenges of legacy waste and land degradation through sustainable, integrated planning.
With tangible improvements to biodiversity, public health, and climate resilience, the project provides a replicable model for urban regeneration in India.
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