A Socio-Cultural Investigation of KAPs on Domestic Waste Disposal System in Sylhet City

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VIII, August 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

A Socio-Cultural Investigation of KAPs on Domestic Waste Disposal System in Sylhet City

Mohammad Mostufa Kamal
Department of Sociology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Abstract: – Domestic waste disposal system is recognized as an essential issue for environmental purity and pollution, which is related to health and hygiene of city dwellers. Waste generation is increasing in proportion to the rise of population, urbanization, industrialization, and with the change of lifestyle of people. Safe management and disposal of household waste has become critical phenomena of urban dweller for a sustainable and liveable environment. Sylhet city is a part of it, and the diverse local culture and beliefs influence the domestic waste disposal system, which now becomes a challenging issue of the urban environment. This study strives to investigate how the city dwellers dispose the domestic waste through conventional approaches as their existing knowledge, attitudes, and practices with changing context and needs. The researcher administered this study by using the qualitative approach, and data has been collected by applying in-depth interviews, observation, and case study methods. After eliciting data, it has been analyzed as research objectives and then turned it into the theme and concept of domestic waste management system. The findings of the study show that waste management efficacy is strengthened by urban dwellers mental setting that is constructed based on prevalent local and outer influences. The awareness concepts of cleanliness derive from various effective action as well as cultural beliefs and practices.

Keywords: Waste, Cleanliness, Cultural belief, Mythical practice, Stakeholders

I. INTRODUCTION

The disposal of domestic waste is a major concerning issue in city life. To manage this issue, urban dwellers need adequate knowledge. City householders’ shortage of management knowledge makes serious problems in disposing of domestic waste (Sinha and Enayetullah, 2000; WRI et al., 1996). Particularly for the developing countries, it’s a challenging issue that relates ecological, social, and economic consequences (Butu,2014). Domestic waste dumping is recognized as an essential cause of environmental pollution and health hazard (Mamady, 2016; Pfammatter and Schertenleib, 1996). Waste is also an unavoidable by-product of human activities. It is unusable and worthless materials or substance which is leftover after primary use.

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