DEMAND FOR COMPOST FROM URBAN ORGANIC SOLID WASTE 235
substantial amount of such compost could be sold in the urban area was not assessed
by this study.
11.5. ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
The MCH does not have a strategic solid waste management plan that includes atten-
tion to waste minimisation and reduction. However, the basics of solid waste
management are being improved with assistance from the centrally funded Housing
and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO). A large grant from HUDCO is
geared mainly to the improvement of infrastructure for waste collection and disposal.
There is no reference to reduction of organic wastes in that project.
The MCH’s efforts at marketing compost produced in a municipal plant failed by the
late 1980s. The compost was of low quality and marketing was not vigorously
pursued. There was little attempt to understand the potential users’ needs. Subse-
quently the MCH has not been interested in restarting a compost plant or in promoting
composting substantially, although the Parks Department briefly experimented with
vermicomposting in the 1990s. In general, it appears that composting, whether of
source-separated organics or mixed municipal wastes, is not currently a priority for
MCH. They are prepared to endorse private undertakings, but have not given attention
to the varied supports (in both urban and peri-urban areas) that would be necessary to
promote viable composting of urban wastes.
The MCH does not seem to be aware that its stated interest in promoting composting
(specifically, vermicomposting) is in potential conflict with its endorsement of a
private solid waste pelletisation plant recently started in Hyderabad. This plant
requires mixed waste, and so represents an impediment to the principle of separation
of organics for composting. Energy production (supported by the central Ministry of
Non-Conventional Energy) apparently takes precedence over the needs of peri-urban
agriculture and horticulture. At present the plant operates on a small-scale, but, if the
process is successful and is expanded, it could undercut support for composting.
There is no public participation with respect to composting in Hyderabad and appar-
ently no plans to educate the public about the benefits of reducing urban waste through
separation at source of the organic matter and its diversion to compost production.
Nevertheless, the willingness to support NGOs that take up projects in composting
shows a positive attitude among some public officials and interest may grow soon,
given the impetus to composting of urban wastes in the solid waste management rules
of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.