Nagaland University hosts lecture on sustainable waste management

Nagaland University’s Committee for Mission LiFE organized a hybrid lecture on solid waste management at its Lumami campus on October 21. The session featured Prof. Ligy Philip, an Institute Chair Professor from the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Madras, as the primary speaker.

Prof. Philip discussed the critical role of waste segregation, recycling, and composting in protecting public health and preserving natural resources. She noted significant differences in waste generation between rural and urban settings, stating that rural areas produce approximately 0.1 to 0.4 kg of waste per capita daily, whereas urban areas produce between 0.5 and 1.2 kg due to rising incomes and increased consumption of packaged foods.

The lecture also addressed the dangers of improper disposal methods like open dumping. Prof. Philip warned that rainwater passing through unsegregated waste can create leachate containing heavy metals and organic pollutants, which threatens groundwater and surface water. Additionally, plastic waste was identified as a factor that degrades soil structure and reduces water absorption, potentially impacting agricultural productivity.