Gandhinagar: Gujarat is stepping up efforts to protect the ecologically sensitive Nalsarovar wetland from rising plastic waste. The forest department will collect plastic from 14 surrounding villages and provide payments to residents and waste collectors who contribute to the collection.
The initiative forms part of a ₹2.9-crore scientific plastic waste management project approved under the Project for Eco-Restoration in Gujarat, with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
14 Villages to Come Under Plastic Collection Drive
The project is being implemented by the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Wildlife Division, Sanand, in collaboration with local institutions and communities.
The programme will involve:
- 14 villages surrounding Nalsarovar
- Gram panchayats
- Eco-development committees
- Local residents and waste collectors
The forest department plans to establish a systematic system for plastic collection, transportation and processing.
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Plastic Collection Centre Already Set Up
A dedicated plastic waste collection centre has already been established at Kayla village in Viramgam taluka.
Sanjay Kumar Srivastav, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, said the centre will support the wider waste-management system planned for villages around Nalsarovar.
The department intends to build a structured collection network instead of relying only on conventional waste-picking systems.
Why the Payment Model Matters
Officials said the project addresses an important gap in the existing waste-management system.
Ragpickers and informal waste collectors often avoid low-value and single-use plastics because collecting them does not provide sufficient financial returns.
The payment-based model could encourage residents and waste collectors to collect such plastic as well.
This can help prevent waste from reaching the wetland and surrounding habitats.
Protecting Nalsarovar’s Sensitive Ecosystem
Nalsarovar is an internationally important wetland and a major habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Plastic waste can pose risks to wetland ecosystems when it enters water bodies or remains in surrounding areas.
By linking plastic collection with local communities, the project aims to make waste management more regular while creating an additional economic incentive for people living around the wetland.
Community Participation at the Centre
The involvement of gram panchayats, eco-development committees and local residents is expected to be an important part of the initiative.
Rather than treating plastic waste only as an environmental problem, the project seeks to create a community-led collection system around Nalsarovar.
The approach could also improve awareness about responsible waste disposal in villages located near the Ramsar Site.
A Wider Eco-Restoration Effort
The ₹2.9-crore JICA-supported project under Gujarat’s Eco-Restoration initiative will streamline plastic collection, transport and processing. It aims to reduce plastic pollution in Nalsarovar through scientific waste management, local participation and incentives.
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