Progress and Future Plans of Martam Landfill Biomining Project Highlighted During Inspection
A team of senior officials, spearheaded by M.T. Sherpa, Secretary of the Urban Development Department (UDD), undertook a comprehensive inspection of the ongoing biomining operations at the Martam landfill. This visit, which included Principal Chief Engineers, Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), and representatives from the Rural Development Department (RDD), aimed to assess the project’s advancement and educate stakeholders on efficient waste management practices.
Initiated by the State Government through the UDD in January 2024, the Martam biomining project stands as Sikkim’s pioneering initiative in landfill management. Despite encountering challenges such as flash floods, road closures, and adverse weather conditions, the project has made commendable progress. Its primary objective is to employ biological methodologies for the excavation, segregation, and treatment of accumulated waste at the landfill site. This approach not only aims to reduce waste volume but also seeks to recover valuable resources, optimize land use, and mitigate environmental impacts.
Biomining adheres strictly to the guidelines outlined by the Central Pollution Control Board and the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016. At Martam, the project targets the processing of over two lakh tonnes of legacy waste originating from Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Rangpo, Singtam, Mangan Nagar Panchayats, and surrounding rural areas. Given the daily generation of approximately 68 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste and the region’s growing urbanization and tourism, effective waste management has emerged as a critical imperative for local authorities.
Technological interventions complemented by public awareness campaigns and training programs for waste management personnel are pivotal components of the state’s strategy towards achieving zero-waste status. Currently, Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) extracted from the landfill is being transported to cement factories outside the state, while certified good earth is earmarked for agricultural and forestry applications.
Secretary Sherpa, during the inspection, expressed contentment with the project’s progress and emphasized the importance of maintaining worker safety. He underscored the necessity for providing adequate protective gear and ensuring regular medical check-ups for all personnel engaged in the biomining operations.
Looking ahead, the UDD plans to facilitate site visits for municipal bodies, officials, and interested organizations to foster knowledge exchange and promote best practices in solid waste management. These initiatives are expected to bolster statewide efforts in sustainable waste management, fostering a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents of Sikkim.
