Background:
The Panchayats in Bengaluru Urban District are highly urbanised and are seen as extensions of the Bengaluru city. Thus while the population density and waste generation is like any other part of the city, the waste management system is handled by the Gram Panchayat which has limited access to funds and knowledge to set up robust holistic systems.

Objectives: 
As part of this initiative Saahas is working in the 3 Gram Panchayats to set up model SWM Units which have composting and dry waste sorting infrastructure, and storage facility for the sorted waste and for sanitary waste till it is handed over to the authorized handler. The intervention also involves working with the community to inculcate the practice of handing over segregated waste to the door-to-door collection staff and stopping the habit of dumping or burning waste. Along with this, the Panchayat members of the villages and the Yelahanka Taluk are being trained to set up collection and processing operations by deploying the required number of staff and collecting user fees to meet the operational expenses.