Abstract:
Waste management authority and the Central environmental authority in
Sri Lanka recorded in 2018 that, 7500 tonnes solid wastes are being generated per day
in the country. However, only 3500 tonnes is being collected by local authorities and
remains accumulate. This study aimed to evaluate present knowledge of the people in
Piramanthanaru Grama Niladari (GN) division, of Kandauualai Divisional
Secretariate (DS) in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka on home waste management and divergent
contentions for non-adoption of compost making and suggestions for future adoption.
Focus group discussion (FGDs), Participatory rural appraisal techniques (Transect
walks, pair wise ranking and resource map) and written test were employed for data
collection. FGDs were conducted with participants who were purposively selected
from Piramanthanaru GN division. Decomposition rate of home wastage, methods of
compost making, application of compost and its importance were questioned. The
results revealed that minority (30%) obtained approximately 50% of total marks while
others scored less than 10%.The majority (75%) of households used plastics, polybags
as cooking fuel which depicts ambiguity of health hazardous. E- wastes considerably
accumulated at households due to absence of local authorities. Pairwise ranking
showed, lack of awareness on compost application and its importance, uncertainty of
compost making methods, and requirement of large quantity compost were ranked
firstly, secondly and thirdly as divergent contentions for non-adoption respectively.
Attention of local authorities, regular visits of relevant officers and continual training
and development were suggested for future adoption. To sum up, uncertainity often
causes non/poor adoption. It is clear the necessity of integrated solid waste
management around the country.
