Identify the correct statements about urban waste disposal.
(A) The environmental pollution due to solid waste is not very significant in urban areas of India due to low level of urbanisation.
(B) Dumping industrial waste into rivers causes water pollution.
(C) Solid waste refers to a variety of old and used articles.
(D) Solid waste from industrial units is collected and disposed off on low-lying public grounds.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct option is (B), (C) and (D) only.

Let us analyze each statement step-by-step to understand why this option is correct:

Statement (A): "The environmental pollution due to solid waste is not very significant in urban areas of India due to low level of urbanisation."
This statement is incorrect. India has a rapidly growing urban population, and solid waste management is one of the most significant environmental challenges in its urban areas. High population density and rising consumption levels generate massive amounts of municipal solid waste daily, leading to severe environmental and health hazards. Therefore, environmental pollution due to solid waste is highly significant in urban India.

Statement (B): "Dumping industrial waste into rivers causes water pollution."
This statement is correct. Industrial effluents, chemicals, heavy metals, and other hazardous materials are frequently discharged into nearby water bodies. This directly contaminates the water, disrupts aquatic ecosystems, and poses serious health risks to humans and animals relying on the river water.

Statement (C): "Solid waste refers to a variety of old and used articles."
This statement is correct. Solid waste comprises discarded and useless materials arising from human residential, industrial, and commercial activities. This includes various old and used articles such as plastic containers, metals, broken glassware, paper, organic food waste, and obsolete electronics.

Statement (D): "Solid waste from industrial units is collected and disposed off on low-lying public grounds."
This statement is correct. Historically and commonly, open dumping on low-lying public grounds or landfills has been a primary method for disposing of collected industrial and municipal solid wastes in many urban centers, despite its environmental drawbacks like groundwater leaching and air pollution.

Combining our findings, statements (B), (C), and (D) are correct, while statement (A) is incorrect. Thus, the correct choice is (B), (C) and (D) only.