New Delhi (India), March 23: The towering Bhalswa landfill, a long-standing symbol of New Delhi’s waste management challenges, is undergoing a green rehabilitation effort aimed at improving both the environment and the health of surrounding residents. Standing over 62 meters tall, the landfill was established in 1994 and was declared overfilled by 2006, yet it continues to receive waste, contributing to significant environmental and health issues for the nearby community.
In a significant step toward revitalizing the area, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated a bamboo plantation drive at the landfill this month. The initiative seeks to transform the reclaimed land into a green zone, offering a sustainable solution to the landfill’s ongoing issues.
To date, 200 bamboo plants have been planted, with plans to add 54,000 more in the coming months. Bamboo was selected for its eco-friendly properties, such as producing 30 percent more oxygen than most plants and requiring minimal water. This makes it an ideal choice for improving air quality and reducing pollution in the area.
Lallan Prasad, a caretaker at the Bhalswa landfill for 19 years, shared insights into the daily operations of the site. “Every day, around 350 to 400 trucks bring waste here. Large trucks carry 10-12 tons, while smaller ones carry 3-5 tons. Over the years, I’ve seen about 50 percent of the waste reduced, and the enormous piles of garbage have gone down considerably,” Prasad explained.
Despite these reductions, life remains difficult for those living near the landfill. Exposure to toxic air and hazardous waste has led to widespread health issues. “People here suffer from many diseases, but they stay because they have no other option. They have to earn a living,” Prasad said. He expressed hope that the newly formed Delhi government would address their concerns, noting that previous administrations had done little for their welfare.
While Prasad welcomed the bamboo plantation drive, he highlighted the challenge posed by the landfill’s toxic soil. “The ground is contaminated, and growing anything here is difficult. But if the bamboo plants survive, it will provide much-needed shade and improve air quality,” he added.
Bamboo plantations offer numerous environmental benefits. They stabilize soil, absorb excess moisture, and reduce erosion, preventing landslides. Bamboo’s deep root system also filters contaminants from leachate, helping mitigate groundwater pollution. Furthermore, bamboo acts as a natural carbon sink, absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide from decomposing waste, which aids in improving air quality.
The initiative is a step toward environmental restoration, and while challenges remain, residents and workers at Bhalswa are hopeful that this effort will reduce pollution and improve their quality of life.