The panchayats surrounding Jim Corbett National Park—such as Garjiya, Dhela, Ringora, Kyari, Sawal Deh, Himmatpur Dotiyal and other eco-sensitive villages—face increasing pressure from tourism, expanding settlements, and rising plastic consumption. Waste Warriors Society’s Corbett Office, through the June 2025 MoU with Zila Panchayat Ramnagar, plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges by jointly operating the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and strengthening the region’s decentralized solid waste management system.
1) Strengthening Door-to-Door Waste Collection Systems by Paryavaran Sakhis
The partnership supports panchayats in improving regular waste collection services, ensuring that mixed waste, especially plastic packaging, does not end up in forests, riverbanks, resorts, or tourist trails. Trained Paryavan Sakhis (Female Friends of Environment) and vehicles link villages to the MRF, creating a reliable waste flow pathway.
2) Waste Segregation and Recovery at the MRF
The MoU enables a structured system where dry waste—plastic bottles, wrappers, multilayered packaging, cardboard, metal, and glass—is sorted, bailed, and sent to authorized recyclers. This reduces open dumping, open burning, and the leakage of plastics into wildlife habitat.
3) Reducing Plastic Pollution in Eco-Sensitive Zones
Plastic waste in and around Corbett increases the risk of:
- Wildlife Ingestion (elephants, deer, monkeys)
- Contamination of Rivers like the Kosi
- Microplastic accumulation in soil and water
- Degradation of forest aesthetics and tourist experience
The joint MRF operation significantly reduces these threats by capturing recyclable waste at source and preventing it from entering natural ecosystems.
4) Creating Behaviour Change Through Community Engagement
Waste Warriors works closely with village residents, resort owners, shopkeepers, and tourists to build awareness around:
- Segregation at source
- Reducing single-use plastics
- Responsible tourism practices
- Alternatives such as cloth bags and composting
Eco-awareness drives, clean-up events, and school programmes help shift community behaviour toward long-term sustainability.
5) Supporting Panchayats in Regulatory Compliance
Under the Solid Waste Management Rules (2016) and Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016), panchayats are responsible for waste management. Waste Warriors assists them in:
- setting up waste collection routes
- maintaining records
- ensuring safe disposal of non-recyclables
- liaising with recyclers and waste processors
6) Promoting Livelihoods in the Circular Economy
The MRF creates employment opportunities for women, in this case paryavaran sakhis who hail from the local villages in waste collection, sorting, material recovery, and awareness activities. This promotes economic resilience while supporting environmental conservation.
Conclusion:
Through the MoU with Zila Panchayat Ramnagar, Waste Warriors Society is helping build a model waste management system in the villages around Jim Corbett National Park. By improving waste collection, enhancing recycling, reducing plastic pollution, and engaging communities, the partnership ensures that both people and wildlife benefit, while supporting sustainable tourism and environmental protection in one of India’s most important conservation landscapes.
