Effectiveness of NGOs in mountainous solid waste management: A case study from Healing Himalayas in Rakchham, Himachal Pradesh, India

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in addressing solid waste management (SWM) challenges in remote mountain communities, including the ecologically fragile Himalayan region. This study evaluates the impact of Healing Himalayas, an NGO, in Rakchham village, Himachal Pradesh, India. The objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of Healing Himalayas’ decentralized SWM model in promoting stakeholder engagement and resource recovery, assess the role of collaborations between local authorities and the NGO in financing waste management practices, investigate the influence of tourism and seasonal variations on solid waste generation patterns and waste management practices in Rakchham, and material recovery facilities, followed by glass (36.7%), paper/cardboard (18.4%) and metal (4.1%). A fee-based system involving the local village council funded waste operations. Waste generation exhibited significant seasonal fluctuations, with tourism influxes driving increased volumes. The findings inform effective strategies for NGO-led waste management initiatives tailored to remote Himalayan communities.

ENVIRONMENTTRAVEL PUBLIC POLICY