Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 16
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday described the newly notified Circular Economy Policy 2026 as a framework for improving waste management, recovering resources, and promoting environmentally sustainable development across J&K.
The policy proposes a 10-year planning outlay of Rs 3548.7 crore and aims to achieve more than 90 percent urban material recovery through better waste segregation, recycling and reduced dependence on landfills.
It envisages a three-tier governance model – Circular, Circular+ and Circular++ – tailored to the needs and capacities of local bodies across J&K.
The framework proposes decentralised waste processing in smaller and remote areas, hub-and-spoke logistics in intermediate regions and more advanced circular economy systems in major urban centres, including Jammu and Srinagar.
The policy covers municipal solid waste, food waste, tourism-related refuse, agricultural and horticultural biomass, packaging, construction and demolition debris, electronic waste and wastewater.
It also promotes repair, refurbishment and reuse, including resource recovery linked to wool and handicrafts, with the aim of reducing waste and supporting local economic activity.
To address the region’s difficult terrain and transport constraints, the government plans to develop regional value-chain clusters for collecting, transporting and processing recyclable materials.
The proposed clusters would focus on urban material recovery, apple and horticultural waste, tourism circuits and artisan-related materials.
The government expects the approach to connect waste management with livelihood generation and create opportunities for young people, self-help groups and waste workers.
Financing is expected to draw on central government schemes, extended producer responsibility mechanisms, user charges and potential public-private partnerships.
The policy seeks to support long-term infrastructure development while reducing reliance on recurring government subsidies.
Abdullah said the framework represented a shift towards a resource-efficient development model suited to Jammu and Kashmir’s varied geography and settlement patterns.
The policy’s implementation will determine whether the proposed recovery targets and financing arrangements can be achieved across the region.
