Although we will meet the target of an open defecation free India much before deadline, it is still the easiest milestone that we have crossed. Here, Down To Earth takes a hard look at the challenges that need to be addressed
Lessons from two cities
Pune aims to become a zero-landfill city by 2015. With a range of solid waste management options, the target does not seem too ambitious. Bengaluru, on the other hand, is forced by a court order to do what Pune is already doing. Arnab Pratim Dutta reports from Pune and Aparna Pallavi from Bengaluru
Costs and benefits of India's waste disposal options
Urban India produces 120,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste each day. Businesses want to burn this garbage to produce electricity, using government subsidies. Environmentalists say this is not viable, given Indian conditions--they also fear toxic emissions from incineration. Kushal Pal Singh Yadav analyses the costs and benefits of India's waste disposal options
Interstate dirty dumpers
Industrial units illegally dump hazardous waste in remote fields, often crossing state borders, to dodge the law and cut costs. ravleen kaur travels to Tumkur and Chamrajnagar in Karnataka to find out how untreated waste from neighbouring states ends up there
