Rapid urbanization across the North Eastern Region (NER) of India has catalyzed significant economic growth while simultaneously exerting unprecedented pressure on municipal infrastructure. This empirical study investigates the critical intersections of accelerating urban expansion, varying levels of environmental awareness, and distinct waste management preferences among residents in Guwahati, Assam a major secondary metropolis in the valley and Shillong, Meghalaya a prominent hill station capital. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach comprising structured household surveys and key informant interviews across both cities, the paper examines how structural urban differences, historical community-driven governance, and demographic variations influence citizen participation in municipal solid waste management (MSWM) systems (Baruah, 2021).
Publication Date: 2026-06-24