Madhya Pradesh reclaims 286 acres from 168 dumpsites, targets 2025 finish

India has a significant challenge with its 2,423 dumpsites, mainly housing over 1000 tonnes of legacy waste each, totalling 2,434. Only 37% of this waste has been remediated, leaving 63% unaddressed. The affected area spans 28,962.79 acres, with only 15% reclaimed. In Madhya Pradesh, home to 168 dumpsites, efforts are underway to reclaim landfills for sustainable waste management strategies.

286 reclaimed acres in Madhya Pradesh

The central government aims to clean up dumpsites and remediate all of them by 2025 under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0. Urban local bodies are working to achieve garbage-free cities as per SBM 2.0 guidelines. 

According to the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 data, 12 lakh tonnes of the 63 lakh tonnes of legacy waste have been remediated under the Swachh Bharat Mission by the state government, marking a 19% progress rate. Remediation refers to the process of cleaning up or restoring contaminated sites to make them safe for human health and the environment. It typically involves removing pollutants, restoring natural ecosystems, or implementing engineering solutions to mitigate environmental damage. By reclaiming landfills, urban local bodies (ULBs) can save money by not needing to buy new land. They can also earn money back by selling or using materials they recover from the reclaimed landfill.

The scale of this work is evident when considering the land area involved. Of the 865.81 acres occupied by dumpsites in Madhya Pradesh, 286 acres have been reclaimed, offering an opportunity for urban development and renewal.

Several cities in Madhya Pradesh have made progress in landfill reclamation. Datia has reclaimed 24.7 acres by remediating 1.48 lakh tonnes of waste. Morena has reclaimed 45 out of 54 acres by clearing 2.56 lakh tonnes out of 3.57 lakh tonnes of waste. Smaller cities like Alampur and Amla have also completely remediated their dumpsites, freeing up urban land.

In 2020, Under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, garbage dumps are being transformed to beautify urban areas and promote sustainability. Bhopal reclaimed 37 acres of a dumpsite, creating a green zone flagged off by Narendra Modi. 

Key points about Madhya Pradesh's landfill reclamation work

1. The state has 168 dumpsites in various cities.

2. Of the 63 lakh tonnes of legacy waste, 12 lakh tonnes (19%) have been remediated.

3. 286 out of 865.81 acres of dumpsite land have been reclaimed.

4. Datia, Morena, Alampur, and Amla have made progress in waste remediation and land reclamation.

5. The state is following the Swachh Bharat Mission's Urban Advisory on Landfill Reclamation.

6. Drone mapping and total station surveys are used in reclamation projects.

7. The state aims to complete legacy waste remediation by 2025.

Land reclamation from waste landfills is essential to Madhya Pradesh's environmental policy. It transforms hazardous dumpsites into valuable urban assets by rehabilitating and restoring waste disposal areas.

What is land reclamation?

Land reclamation from dumpsites is the process of turning polluted or unusable areas, like old landfills, into safe and productive spaces. First, experts assess the site to understand the waste and contamination levels. Then, specialised equipment is used to remove and treat the waste, separating recyclables, organic matter, and hazardous materials. After cleaning up, the area is restored with new soil and vegetation, making it suitable for parks, housing, or other beneficial uses. This process helps improve environmental quality and creates valuable land for communities

Landfill reclamation involves several steps designed to clean up and repurpose landfill sites. Initially, an excavator is used to remove the landfill contents, which are then organised by a front-end loader into manageable piles. Bulky items like appliances and steel cables are separated during this process.

The journey from dumpsite to reclaimed land involves multiple steps and a diverse team of experts. It begins with a site assessment, where engineers and geologists survey the landfill to determine its composition, waste volume, and potential hazards, informing the reclamation strategy.

After assessment, the excavation phase starts. Specialised machinery minimises environmental impact. The material undergoes segregation into recyclables, combustibles, inert materials, and hazardous waste, each requiring specific treatment - bioremediation for organic waste, recycling for plastics and metals, and proper disposal for hazardous substances.

Reclaiming landfills use & environmental benefits

The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016 by the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB, prohibit habitation on cleared dumpsites for at least 15 years.

Schedule I, H (2) of SWM regulations, 2016, recommends using closed landfill sites after ensuring gaseous emission and leachate quality analysis meets standards and soil stability is ensured.

After landfills close, the permissible options according to CPCB guidelines (after 15 years of post-closure monitoring) are:

• Waste processing facilities

• Open stadiums

• Sports grounds

• Parks and gardens

• Parking lots

• Container yards

• Non-flammable warehouses

• Similar facilities where people are not living or working 24/7

Once cleared, the site restoration begins by adding clean soil, planting vegetation, or preparing the land for construction, depending on its future use.

The environmental benefits include reducing methane emissions, preventing groundwater contamination, and improving soil quality. Reclaimed sites in Madhya Pradesh are being turned into parks and recreational areas, providing habitats for local flora and fauna and green spaces for urban residents.

Madhya Pradesh's landfill reclamation efforts align with the Swachh Bharat Mission's Urban Advisory on Landfill Reclamation, providing a roadmap for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to manage and reclaim landfill sites.

Government urged old dumpsite review

In 2020, the Central Government issued an advisory emphasising investigating old and operational dumpsites for biomining and bioremediation potential. ULBs should carry out these processes if feasible. If not, the advisory recommends scientific capping to prevent further environmental damage.

The advisory emphasises an integrated dumpsite remediation approach, covering initial assessment to post-reclamation monitoring. It suggests a three-way split for reclaimed land: one-third for dense forestation, one-third for waste management facilities, and one-third for other compatible purposes, including potential monetization.

Madhya Pradesh aims to complete the remediation of all legacy waste by 2025. The state government plans to increase the budget for landfill reclamation, improve waste processing technologies, and create value chains for recovered materials.

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