A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF SOLID WASTE ON HUMAN HEALTH AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF RAIPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

The objective of the study is to analyze the impacts of improper solid waste management on human health and the environment, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Both theoretical and empirical research methodologies were employed in the study. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire-based survey of 500 respondents from urban and rural areas of Raipur district, while secondary data were gathered from legal provisions, judicial decisions, books, research papers, and government reports. Data analysis was conducted using frequency, percentage, averages, and the Chi-square test. The study revealed that improper solid waste management contributes to various health issues—including respiratory ailments, skin diseases, and waterborne and vector-borne diseases—and that the nature of these impacts differs between urban and rural areas. The research also indicated that while the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, provide a robust legal framework, their effectiveness hinges on efficient implementation, administrative oversight, institutional capacity, and public awareness. Both research hypotheses were found to be supported by the empirical data.