Municipal Solid Waste and the Plant Diversity on Landfill Site of Doon Valley

Abstract

Solid waste generation and its disposal to safer sites are posing a threat to environment and human existence. Due to poor solid waste management practices, problems of health, sanitation and environmental degradation are unavoidable. In the current paper we have tried to assess the total Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated in Doon Valley and its disposal to landfill site along with the plant species that grow on this site. A total of 116 plant species were recorded growing in landfill site. They included two tree species, four shrub species and remaining herb species. These included many invasive species like Lantana camara, Eupatorium adenophorum, Ageratum conyzoides and Parthenium hysterophorus. The plants are best source to remediate the solid wastes and this technique is phytoremediation. However, it is a slow process but certainly cost effective.