Usmaan Shekh : “India’s Garbage Pickers: Dangerous Job in Extreme Heat”

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JAMMU, India (AP) — The acrid stench of burning waste drifts across the outskirts of Jammu, India, emanating from the landfill where a group of resilient waste pickers toil amidst hazardous conditions. These individuals, undeterred by the noxious fumes and scorching temperatures, sift through the refuse in search of items they can sell to earn a meagre income, often amounting to just $4 a day.

Usmaan Shekh, a 65-year-old waste picker, expressed, “If we don’t engage in this labour, we are left with no means to sustain ourselves. We attempt to take brief respites during intense heat, but predominantly persevere until our physical limits are reached.”

Shekh and his family belong to the estimated 1.5 to 4 million waste pickers in India, whose arduous occupation is further exacerbated by the escalating impacts of climate change. In Jammu, a city nestled in the Himalayan foothills, this summer has witnessed temperatures soaring above 43 degrees Celsius (approximately 110 Fahrenheit).

Tragically, at least one casualty during the recent heat wave in northern India was identified as a waste picker, underscoring the perilous nature of their work. The landfills themselves exude heat as the waste decomposes, emitting gases like methane and carbon dioxide, which pose severe health risks. The rising temperatures of summer expedite this decomposition process, intensifying the dangers faced by these individuals.

The Jammu landfill, a sprawling mound of garbage, is dotted with small fires that smoulder for days, releasing plumes of smoke. Amidst this hazardous environment, waste pickers navigate the terrain, scavenging for items of value amidst the refuse. The lack of enforcement of waste segregation laws further compounds the risks faced by these individuals, exposing them to hazardous materials.

Bharati Chaturvedi, the founder of the Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group in New Delhi, highlights the plight of waste pickers, who are already marginalized and discriminated against. She stresses the urgent need for interventions to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on these vulnerable individuals.

With the scorching heat posing significant health risks, experts emphasise the importance of providing waste pickers with access to water, shade, and medical care. Abhiyant Tiwari, leading the climate resilience team at the Natural Resources Defense Council’s India program, underscores the necessity of safeguarding the well-being of these individuals.

Geeta Devi, a 55-year-old waste picker in New Delhi, encapsulates the harsh reality faced by individuals in this profession, where the struggle for survival outweighs the perils of extreme heat. Despite the challenges posed by the scorching temperatures, these waste pickers persevere in their daily quest for sustenance.