Residents of Seelampur are silently becoming collateral damage in the fight to deal with E-waste. India might be moving toward a larger change in the world but are we moving forward? Would the people feel the same if they see the Seelampur for themselves? The labyrinth of time has not only trapped the future of the place but also of the kids there. While working on the big agenda will we lose this place to E-Waste?
For those of you who don’t know, Seelampur is situated in the North East Delhi district in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, adjacent to the southwest of Delhi. You might be thinking why are we discussing this place? While we were so focussed on the wider picture, “we forgot about the graveyard we made. Seelampur has been nicknamed the graveyard of e-waste, the youth here might not have used a computer in their life but they have dismantled many. The world might have developed a generation of comfort but the loss we are going to accrue is no less, the earth we borrowed from our future generation is under the curse of technology.”
We have put ourselves so deep in the world of technology, that we prefer carrying every new gadget before it even hits the market.” But the pile of old gadgets has hawked the dreams of many in the Seelampur district. The unorganized e-waste recycling hub puts almost 50,000 people at health risk and a darker future. While the place addresses an issue that has been in limelight both in India and other countries the health and the future of the people of Seelampur remain in the dark corner of this glittering e-waste management ecosystem.
Unorganized E-Waste
Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to all items of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts that have been discarded by their owner as waste without the intent of re-use. It includes a wide range of products like basic kitchen appliances, toys, tools for music, and ICT items, such as mobile phones, laptops, etc.
According to an official at Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi, the national capital is the sole creator of almost 22 crore kg of electronic waste (2.2lakh tons) every year. However, around 90% of the e-waste lands up in landfills or informal recyclers, due to an improper disposal organization, that solely works on profit maximization. Due to this, the informal sector handles almost 95% of the e-waste that gets generated. Although according to 2022, the list of dismantlers/recyclers as per the authorization issued by SPCBs/PCCs under E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, confirmed Delhi only has 2 authorized dismantlers/recyclers. According to a survey, 22.7 percent of the e-waste out of the total 10,14,961.21 tonnes generated in 2019-20 in India was collected, dismantled, and recycled or disposed of. Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, e-waste comprises 21 types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Around 50 million tonnes of e-waste is estimated to be generated every year, by the whole world.
But things were very different back in 2018, “a survey was done by ToxicLink in Delhi NCR 2018, regarding the thriving informal e-waste sector,” told a different story. During that time in east Delhi, nearly 5,000 e-waste processing units were functioning properly and following the proper guidelines, precautions, or norms. Of them, Seelampur was considered to be the biggest hotspot with 57 percent of all the informal e-waste processing and handling units. The e-waste sector has been providing for thousands of families but the breadwinners have no age limit, robbing the children of their childhood. According to a fact-finding investigation by the leading organization for children's rights, NCPCR, young people are involved in the dismantling and sorting of electronic debris at landfills for outdated technology in Seelampur.
Serious punishments for offenses were also suggested by the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Taking suo motu cognizance of these cases, the NCPCR has written to the sub-divisional magistrates involved, the deputy labor commissioner, the Child Welfare Committee, and ChildLine to immediately rescue the children and take appropriate action in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, the Bonded Labour Abolition Act, 1976, and sections 16 and 17 of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1986. PTI
Yet things have not changed for the youth there, the unorganized e-waste disposal is yet a nightmare for them. As it's becoming a hazard to health, diseases like skin cancer and respiratory problems are on the list. So robbing them of childhood was not enough for our mistakes but we also gave them a life that might subdue to health problems.
E-Waste A Hazard For Health And Environment
E-Waste when dismantled openly and manually, shredded, or burned can not just be a danger to the worker's health but go on to become a danger on a larger scale. As the environment will also face consequences such as the contamination of soil, groundwater, surface water, and polluting air. The issue drew attention to it in 2018, after Toxics Link (NGO) confirmed the harmful effects of unorganized e-waste disposal.
The study showcased how many electronic gadgets are made up of harmful substances, which if not handled properly, “might turn out to become a danger for everyone.”
The matter was also discussed by Dr. Gunjan Verma, a consultant in the dermatology division of Manipal Hospital. Providing information about the negative implications of improper handling, stating the facts of e-waste and the problems facing those who live nearby e-waste sites. The risk of several serious ailments, such as allergic contact dermatitis, airborne contact dermatitis, skin cancer, and respiratory infections is higher for the workers. The open burning of e-waste might cause the discharge of tiny particles. These particles can enter the body through skin pores as well as by breathing, which over time may result in respiratory conditions including asthma. The people there are already familiar with us, and often claim that deaths caused by asthma have become a normal norm for them. But is the situation that simple to accept or is the harsh reality of life worse than death for them?
Sameeksha is a content writer originally from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Growing up, she found her passion in novels and eventually started her journey in the writing world. Sameeksha has a degree in media and communication studies from Doon University, Uttarakhand and is looking forward to making a mark with her stories.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
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