Give an account of the challenges associated with rapidly increasing biomedical waste in India. Also, state the key features of the Bio-Medical Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018.

Biomedical waste is the waste associated with hospital waste, pharmaceuticals, etc. which is managed under the Bio Medical Waste Management Rules 2018.

Challenges associated: Increased risk of infection - without proper disposal they can cause enlarged pile to communicate disease like tetanus, HIV, etc. Marine plastic pollution - the chlorinated gloves, masks, surgical wear end up in rivers and ocean. Rise of future pandemics - given time in disposal of such waste, these require deep burial or incineration which is not done in many cases.

Features of Bio Medical Rules 2018: Phasing out of chlorinated bags, Reducing the categories of waste from 10 to 4, With the 2 consequent wears of Covid 19, the biomedical waste have exponentially increased and their management needs special focus to avoid any future contingencies.