Women Leaders Combating Plastic Pollution

December 9, 2024

We believe that despite the crisis of waste management being a global challenge, the solutions need to be localized. The humongous plastic waste crisis requires us to develop localized solutions that cater to the needs of respective landscapes and communities. At Waste Warriors, we strive to evolve localized solutions for tackling the growing waste management crisis in the beautiful land of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The solutions are designed in collaboration with the communities to ensure they catalyze long-term systemic change.

The Paryavaran Sakhi model (Female friends of the environment) is one such model. Initiated in the Corbett Tiger Reserve area of Uttarakhand in 2013, the model has mobilized 23 women from varied social and economic backgrounds to build a sustainable waste management model. These women practice door-to-door dry waste collection, transport it to waste banks, thoroughly segregate it into 22 categories, followed by sending it for waste recycling. These women entrepreneurs are the backbone of the Paryavaran Sakhi model, leading not just the operational aspects but also spreading awareness on waste management and plastic pollution, across eight panchayats in the Ramnagar region.

The model has now found its footing in Sahastradhara, Uttarakhand where five Sakhis – Reema, Seema, Mukta, Sudha and Arti are operating in six panchayats of Sahastradhara, namely- Maldevta, Khairi Mansingh, Asthal, Dhanaula, Sherki and Karliguard. These Sakhis have taken it upon themselves to restore the magic of Sahastradhara which is increasingly losing its charm to plastic pollution and waste mismanagement. Our Sakhis are women leaders who stare at the challenge straight in the eye and stay committed to overcoming caste-class and gender stereotypes to make Sahastradhara clean again.

Enabling the Paryavaran Sakhi model helps us strengthen the ideals of women empowerment and at the same time helps mitigate climate change in India. By empowering women to lead the charge against waste, we are not only addressing environmental challenges but also promoting gender equality by giving them a sense of agency, purpose, and a future they are motivated towards.s. On being asked what keeps them motivated they unitedly say “This is the least we can do for our children. Our ancestors gave us such clean air, water, and land. It’s our responsibility to hand over these essential resources to our children in the same state”.

Reemaji’s story of becoming a Paryavaran Sakhi is an inspiring tale of transformation. Being one of our first Sakhis she continues to manage household duties and her responsibilities as a frontline warrior with inspiring resilience and grace. The smiling young lady arrives at the Material Recovery Facility at 9 am sharp daily, sporting a vibrant smile and a diligent personality.

Two of our other Sakhis- Sudhaji and Muktaji are sisters-in-law who stood firm against jeering remarks from their family and friends, some ridiculed their societal status, while others questioned their educational qualifications but they remained consistent in their answer, “We don’t feel we are doing anything wrong, so we continue doing what we deem appropriate, despite societal pressures”.

Even though the Sakhis have tasted financial freedom with the model, that’s not the only motivator for them. Arti, one of our other Sakhis, abandoned by her husband, is now the sole breadwinner of her family and continues to live a dignified life, wherein she, “doesn’t have to be dependent on someone else to look after her” she says. Our Sakhis lead their lives in a manner that serves as a reminder to continue working towards what we believe in and not succumb to societal pressures. Our hearts swell with pride when we see our women leaders lead the battle against waste with extraordinary dedication. Our Sakhi tribe is growing and we hope that with each passing day, we can reduce the litter that populates the beautiful hills of Sahastradhara.