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Statement of Purpose (SOP)for PhD programme

Research Proposal · October 2019

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 Statement of Purpose (SOP)for PhD programme
As an Indian student, I completed BA and MA in Geography from prestigious Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh, India. Since my early childhood, I have been nurturing a dream to become a scholar and
teacher of Geography. My vicinity where I grew up is full of diverse geographical elements and atmosphere
which fascinated me a lot to ponder over various aspects of geography from my cradle days. For achieving
that goal, I started my journey towards AMU from where I have acquired all primary and concrete
knowledge of Geography by acknowledged faculty.

I accomplished a project on ‘internal migration in Malda district and “Changing cropping pattern in
West Bengal, India” during my Post graduation period. Apart from this, I completed project on ‘socio
economic conditions of Mirzapur’s. It is notable that we had educational tour from where I have learnt socio
economic and geographical difference between south India and north India. I also participated in a workshop
on’ Research methodology’ organized by training and placement office, AMU which made me adroit on
various methods of research in social science.

So, I have decided to pursue my PhD on “Solid waste management and disposal of Kolkata
Metropolitan city-a case study” in your department for actualizing my well desired dream to become an
efficient scholar and teacher of geography. As an Indian Student I have selected this topic for my research
because this topic is very much related to the Social and Economic development of India. Presently Indian
economy is progressing rapidly with some certain social problems. So, to accelerate the present rate of
development and to take it to satisfactory level, the present social problems are to be finished. I think my
PhD degree would help greatly to reach that end. So, I am of the opinion that my research area is very
suitable to present scenario of Indian Socio-Economic development and of course Environmental and
Economic development of whole world as well.

Hence my one and only purpose of pursuing my Research in Geography in Europa point, Europe .Presently
Europa point, Gibraltar is acknowledged by all as an economical giant and a commercial hub for countries of
south and south-east Asia. Europe is playing a pivotal role in the overall development of south-Asian
countries. So, Europe is always suitable destination for doing my research with highly qualified faculty,
inimitable research facilities that are very helpful in my field. A PhD Program in the University of Gibraltar
would be a great advantage for me to become a competent scholar and teacher of Environmental Science.

Finally, I can say without little hesitation that I am very confident and I have sufficient ability to do
research in Environmental Science (Geography). I am also confident that I have a strong zeal for doing my
Research to contribute in the development of my country. I also think my research in Environmental Science
(Geography) would help to do so. I admit that a PhD programme from your university would be very
beneficial for me.

I wish to join in this university because its Environmental Science department is very famous for its
faculties, materials and teaching than that of other universities.

Research Proposal for PhD Programme

Solid Waste Management, Generation and Disposal of Kolkata
Metropolitan City – A Case Study.

1. Background of the Study

Solid waste management is the major environmental problems of Indian cities, which is the issue of
worldwide concern. Several studies reveal that about 90% of solid waste is disposed of unscientifically in
open dumps and landfills, creating problems to public health and the environment. Improper disposal of
waste has huge social costs due to the spread communicable diseases and increased treatment costs for
pollutants and is an issue of increasing concern. Solid waste management has become an important issue, in
addition other environmental problem, especially for densely populated cities in developing countries. Today
most part of the world, solid wastes are disposed of either in open dumps or sanitary landfills. The quantity of
MSW generated depends on a various factors such as food habits, standard of living and industrial activities.
Kolkata city now generate three more MSW than they did in 1981 because of increasing urbanization and
changing life styles. The rate of increase of MSW generated per capita is estimated at 0.75 to 1.25%
annually. Metropolitan solid waste (MSW) generation rates in small towns are lower than those of metro
cities, and the per capita generation rate of MSW in Kolkata city is 0.35 kg/day. Rapid industrialization and
population explosion in India has led to the migration of people from villages to cities, which generate
thousands of tons MSW daily.

2. Aims and Objectives of the Study

Every study /research has some specific aim and objectives. The present study has articulated some of
the objectives which help to reach the major aim of this study. However, the objectives are as follows:

 To study the characteristics of solid waste management practices in Kolkata city.

 To establish an understanding of the perception among local communities about solid waste
management for sound environmental development.
 To assess the several problems which faced by the solid waste generation of people in the Kolkata
metropolitan area.
 To investigate the environmental impacts of solid waste management practices in Kolkata
Municipality.
 To assess how improved waste management practices can contribute to sustain the development
process in Kolkata city.
  To explore the livelihood insecurity faced by the solid waste of the people in Kolkata urban
council.

3. Significance of the Study-

Solid waste management until now has social responsibility of the corporate world.
Improper waste management is a public health and an environmental crisis, economic
loss, operational inefficiency and political and public awareness failure. Integrated solid
waste management can be a nation building exercise for healthier and wealthier
communities. Therefore it needs global attention to arrive at solutions which span across
such a wide range of issues.
Some countries have achieved considerable success in solid waste management. But the
rest of the world is grappling to deal with its wastes. In these places, improper
management of solid waste continues to impact public health of entire communities and
cities.
Compare to solid waste management, we can consider the world has achieved
significant success in providing other basic necessities like food, drinking water, energy
and economic opportunities. Managing solid waste properly can help nurture crops and
result in a better agricultural yield. Reducing landfilling and building sanitary landfills
will reduce ground and surface water pollution which can help provide cleaner drinking
water.
Inclusive waste management where informal waste recyclers are involved can provide an
enormous economic opportunity to the marginalized urban poor. Additionally, a good
solid waste management plan with cost recovery mechanism can free tax payer’s money
for other issues. In the case of India, sustainable solid waste management in 2011 have
provided

However, it is observed that a single study has not been found especially on “Comparative analysis
between Chinese and Indian Diaspora in Singapore: A geographical Perspective”. Therefore, this study is one
of the unique studies which is going to compare the Chinese and Indian diaspora in Singapore.
4. Scope and Limitations of the Study(Study area)

The scope of this study is to examine for solving the problem between sustainable waste management
and unscientifically waste management. Kolkata is one of the largest metropolitan cities in India. Till 1912
Kolkata was the capital of India, when the British moved the capital city to Delhi. However it continued to be
the major trade Centre and gateway of eastern India. Since Independent Kolkata is the capital of the state of
West Bengal .The city is centered on latitude 22 degree 34 minute north and longitude 88 degree 24 minute
east, is approximately 30km from the Bay of Bengal. The whole area is in the Ganges Delta is monotonously
plain. As Kolkata is near the sea, the city has uniform temperature throughout the year .The temperature
ranges from 14-25 degree c in winter and 23-36 degree in the summer .Annual rainfall is around 160cm.As a
growing metropolitan city in a developing country, Kolkata confronts substantial urban population, traffic
congestion, poverty, overpopulation and other socioeconomic problems. The total population of Kolkata city
is 44, 96,694 and population density is 24,000 per sq/km. Kolkata is known as the city of Joy.

5. Research Methodology

Research methodology is considered as fundamental part of any research. It works as the most
important element of the whole research. Hence research should be conducted with eagerness to find out
something new, and with a desire to add knowledge to the existing field, to identify the research gaps, and to
analyze the findings.

The present research work will be based on both primary and secondary source of data. The Primary
source will be collected from field survey and a sample survey would be conducted in different areas of
Singapore Stratified random sampling method will be applied for gathering the relevant data. Apart from this,
Secondary data is to be collected from various published and unpublished government agencies i.e. census of
India, survey of India statistical handbook govt. of Singapore. Even Various statistical techniques such as Z
score, correlation, regression, co-efficient of correlation, student T test will also be applied.

6. Tentative Chapterization
 CHAPTER 1: Introduction
 CHAPTER 2: Review of Related Literature
 CHAPTER 3: Background Information about Indian and Chinese Diaspora
 CHAPTER 4: Data Analysis and Interpretation
 CHAPTER 5: Finding
 CHAPTER 6: Discussion and Conclusion
 References

1. WBPCB (West Bengal Pollution control Board), annual report 2015-2016 West Bengal, India.
2. Municipal solid wastes (management and handling) Rules, Ministry of Environment and Forest,
Government of India, New Delhi.

3. KEIP (Kolkata Environmental Improvement project), Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment report and
Environmental management plan of engineered landfill at Dhapa. Kolkata Municipal Corporation,
India.

4. CPCB (Central pollution control board .Management of Municipal solid wastes New Delhi, India.

5. ADB (Asian Development Bank) Kolkata Environmental Improvement project vol.1 Kolkata Municipal
Corporation, India.

7. T.W.Assmuth, T Strindberg, water, air and soil pollution 179-199, 69.

7. A.D. Bhide, BBS Sundersan Indian National scientific documentation Centre, New Delhi, India.

8. D.Das, M Srinivasu, M Bandyopadhay, Indian Journal of Environmental health.333-342.

9. A. Kansal Indian journal of Environmental protection 444-448.

10. A.Kansal, R.K.Prasad, S.Gupta, Indian journal of Environmental protection.123-128.

11.Sunil Kumar ,J.K. Bhattacharya ,A.N. Vaidya, Tapan Chakrabarty ,Sukumar Devotta,,A.B. Akolkar
,Waste management 833-895.(2009)

12. NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute), comprehensive characterization of

Municipal solid waste at Calcutta, India.

13. J.Petts, G Edulijee, Environmental impact assessment for waste treatment and disposal facilities, John
Willey and Sons 91994)
14. Plastindia,End to end solutions for integrated solid waste management .News and events,Plastindia.

15. M. Aakeson, P. Nillsson, International conference on SWM and technology vol. 1. Widener University,
Chester, USA (1994).

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