Assessment and Planning of Solid Waste Management System for the Ichamati Riverside Area of Pabna City

Ichamati River flows through Pabna city and has been transformed into a narrow canal. Except for monsoon, water flows are reduced drastically and dry in summer. Presently, the river is mostly occupied by dumped waste, and this waste has clogged the Ichamati River by blocking the possibility of water flow. There needs excavation for removing the wastes from the river, but also, a sustainable solid waste management system is the prerequisite for proper management of the Ichamati River to ensure a robust river environment for the future. The objective of the study was to explore the present solid waste dumping scenarios along the Ichamati riverbank of Pabna city and to propose a possible waste management plan. The methodological framework with participatory rural appraisal toll consists of extensive field visits, focus group discussions (FGD), key informant interviews (KII), and then, GIS analysis for a suitable solid waste management plan. The major issues in this area are inadequate waste management, disposal, and collection system and a lack of awareness of the public regarding riverside waste management. The reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) is a very excellent option for Pabna as practiced by some poor families. To overcome the issues, this study found that low-cost regular waste collection systems by the municipality from door to door and relocating the dumping station from the riverbank can make the solid waste management system in the riverside sustainable.