STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of Geotechnical Engineering Original Research

Smart and Circular Lakshadweep: Innovating Solid Waste Management for Sustainable Tourism Development

  1. Sayan Munshi Amity University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  2. Devesh Mani Tripathi Principal Architect, ICON Architects, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Urban growth necessitates effective resource management, especially for resource-constrained island communities. This study focuses on the Lakshadweep Islands, examining the shift towards a circular economy through the perspective of solid waste management, with an emphasis on enhancing tourism and circular economy principles. The circular economy aims to eliminate waste and continually use resources by creating closed-loop systems where products, materials, and resources are reused, repaired, refurbished, and recycled. This study evaluates current municipal solid waste management practices in Lakshadweep, highlighting their role in achieving net-zero upgrades. The goal is to identify innovative approaches that support resilient, circular, and sustainable island destinations. Data analysis reveals a significant increase in waste generated by tourists, underscoring the need for efficient waste management strategies. The study covers waste generation, collection, transportation, and treatment, highlighting challenges such as the absence of sanitary landfills. It proposes a waste management strategy centered on the circular economy, focusing on reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover. Inspired by the Capraia Smart Island initiative, the study suggests biodiesel production as a renewable fuel solution for the growing number of tourists, advocating decentralized production on populated islands. This approach aligns with the Smart Islands Declaration, marking a shift towards circular practices. The study concludes by stressing the importance of responsible consumption and reducing single-use products for resilient and sustainable waste management on islands.

Keywords

References (33)

  1. Grameen. Towards a Swachh and Swasth Bharat by 2025. [Online]. February 6, 2023. Available at
  2. https://sbmgramin.wordpress.com/2023/02/06/all-lakshadweep-villages-have-achievedmodel-odf-plus-status/
  3. Amasuomo E, Baird J. The concept of waste and waste management. J Manage Sustain. 2016; 6
  4. : 88–96. doi:10.5539/jms.v6n4p88.
  5. Monni M. Capraia Smart Island, a circular economy model. Mondo Machina / Machinery World.
  6. July–September 2017. Available at https://www.mondomacchina.it/en/capraia-smart-islandcircular-economy-model-c1796
  7. Lakshadweep Pollution Control Committee. National Mission for Clean Ganga. Monthly progress
  8. report in the NGT matter OA. March 2, 2022. Available at https://sbmgramin.wordpress.
  9. com/2023/02/06/all-lakshadweep-villages-have-achieved-model-odf-plus-status/
  10. Smart Island Declaration. 10 action points towards becoming smart, inclusive and thriving societies.
  11. [Online.]. n.d. Available at https://www.smartislandsinitiative.eu/en/declaration.php
  12. Duval M. Switching from "smart islands" to "circular islands"...and how it could inspire major
  13. corporations and cities. Greater Paris Metropolitan Region. August 20, 2023. Available at https://
  14. www.linkedin.com/pulse/switching-from-smart-islands-circular-islandsand-how-could-duval
  15. Kumar Metal Industries. Biodiesel: applications. [Online]. 2023. Available at https://www.
  16. kumarmetal.com/biodiesel-applications
  17. India Environment Portal. Report filed by the Union Territory of Lakshadweep regarding
  18. compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. [Online]. November 15, 2022.
  19. Available at http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/473979/report-filed-by-the-unionterritory-of-lakshadweep-regarding-compliance-of-municipal-solid-waste-management-rules2016-15112022/
  20. UN Environment Programme. Island Nations Get New Lifeline to Beat Pollution. Geneva,
  21. Switzerland: UN Environment Programme; 2022. Available at https://www.unep.org/news-andstories/press-release/island-nations-get-new-lifeline-beat-pollution
  22. Romano SD, Sorichetti PA. . Introduction to biodiesel production. In: Dielectric Spectroscopy in
  23. Biodiesel Production and Characterization. Green Energy and Technology. London, UK: Springer;
  24. 2010. pp. 7–27.
  25. UT Administration of Lakshadweep. [Online]. Available at https://lakshadweep.gov.in/tourism/
  26. Capraia Smart Island Project [Online]. Available athttps://www.capraiasmartisland.it/
  27. International Air Transport Association (IATA). Environmental initiatives [Online]. Available at
  28. https://www.iata.org/en/programs/environment/
  29. National Mission for Clean Ganga. Annual report on waste generation in Lakshadweep. Ministry
  30. of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India; 2021.
  31. Smart Islands Declaration. [Online]. 2020. Available at https://www.smartislands.eu/
  32. United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Sustainable Tourism. [Online]. n.d.
  33. Available at https://www.unwto.org/sustainable-development
Support