Demographic Profile of Rag Pickers and Solid Waste Management: A Study in View of Environmental Pollution in Puducherry

Abstract

The fastest developing country with an increasing population will lead to urbanization that will conceive higher municipal solid waste. The informal waste collector called as Kabadiwala, Raddiwalas, and bhangar walas. The informal waste collection will forge odor, diseases, and health issues—most of the houses due to urbanization near the dumping yard. Rag pickers are the people who contribute to solid waste management. Rag pickers sustain and earn themselves by collecting, sorting, and segregating waste and trading it. They are staying near the bus stand and railway station. Most of the dumping yards use rag pickers to burring the trash. It may lead to the health issue of rag pickers. In this society, they have considered non-recognized people. The present paper focuses on attempt the socio-economic condition of rag pickers, the standard of living and vulnerability, and health ailments of the rag pickers at dump yards. The study was carried out in Puducherry city of Pondicherry union territory, one among the fastest developing city in India but still plagued with the problem of solid waste management, and the rag pickers' livelihood also affected in that city. Hence, the study shows the demographic profile and rag pickers and suggests the best options to improve their standard of living and employment opportunities.