From 16 lakh tonnes of waste to green cover, city sets model for circular economy under Swachh Bharat Mission

In a step towards sustainable urban renewal, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation has converted a decades-old dumpsite, once home to 16 lakh tonne of legacy waste, into a 20-acre urban forest. The transformation was executed under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, as part of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ (MoHUA) ‘Lakshya Zero Dumpsite’ initiative.

Located at Nakrawadi, the site had long served as the city’s primary dumping ground for over 700 tonne of daily municipal solid waste. Years of unscientific dumping had resulted in severe land degradation, environmental hazards, and health risks for nearby residents. But with SBM-U 2.0 placing renewed emphasis on scientific waste processing and circular economy models, Rajkot’s intervention has emerged as a model for legacy waste remediation.

From Waste To Wealth
The process began with a detailed survey to assess the composition and volume of legacy waste. Advanced processing machinery was deployed on-site to segregate the waste into Refuse-derived Fuel (RDF), semi-compost, and inert materials.

The RDF was sent to the waste-to-energy plant in Jamnagar, while inert materials were transferred to a secure landfill facility. Over 50,000 tonne of semi-compost were repurposed for land leveling and soil enrichment at the same location—laying the foundation for ecological restoration.

Urban Forest With Miyawaki Technique

To bring the reclaimed land to life, Rajkot planted 2.35 lakh native and fast-growing trees using the Miyawaki afforestation technique, which ensures dense, self-sustaining forests in a short period. A 12-km pipeline was laid to connect the forest site to the Gauridad Sewage Treatment Plant, allowing the use of secondary treated water for irrigation.

To further strengthen water sustainability, the project incorporated water harvesting ponds for groundwater recharge and installed drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to reduce water wastage.

Overcoming Complex Challenges
The remediation of the Nakrawadi site was not without hurdles. Segregating and processing over 16 lakh tonne of mixed and compacted waste posed serious logistical and environmental challenges. The site was heavily contaminated, requiring significant soil remediation. Odour and air pollution impacted both workers and nearby communities, while monsoon disruptions frequently stalled operations.

Yet, by leveraging technology, decentralised water reuse, and regenerative land use practices, the city delivered a high-impact outcome for both environment and public health.

A Replicable Model For India
With this transformation, Rajkot has not only eliminated a major environmental hazard but also added a vital green lung to its urban landscape. The effort stands as a replicable blueprint for other Indian cities dealing with legacy waste, showcasing how sustainable practices can convert waste burdens into ecological assets.

As urban India continues to grapple with mounting waste and shrinking green spaces, Rajkot’s model affirms the power of mission-driven governance, cross-sector collaboration, and circular economy thinking.