HOUSEHOLD WASTE MANGAGEMNET PRACTICES, AWARENESS AND CALLENGES IN AMBATHUTAI PANCHYAT, DINDIGUL DISTRICT

Abstract The effective Household Waste Management (HWM) is essential for maintaining environmental cleanliness, public health and sustainable rural development. The present study examines Household Waste Management (HWM) practices, environmental awareness and challenges in Ambathurai Panchayat of Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu. The study is based on Primary Data collected from 150 respondents using a structured interview schedule. Frequency and percentage analyses were used to examine household solid waste disposal, waste segregation, liquid waste management, environmental awareness and community participation. The findings reveal that 43.3 per cent of respondents dispose of household waste in open fields, while 56.7 per cent do not practice waste segregation. Further, 46.7 per cent discharge domestic wastewater into open areas, and 50 per cent have low awareness of proper waste management practices. Lack of awareness and inadequate waste collection facilities are identified as major challenges. The study recommends strengthening Panchayat-level waste collection, promoting household composting, improving drainage facilities and conducting regular environmental awareness programmes. It concludes that household responsibility, community participation and Panchayat support are essential for achieving sustainable rural sanitation. Keywords: Household Waste Management , Waste Segregation, Environmental Awareness, Rural Sanitation, Community Participation, Sustainable Development