Mathura, June 5-Rapid urbanization and the rising influx of tourists into the city are creating major problems in the form of waste, which has a significant health and environmental impact on the city of Lord Krishna.
“The city generates approximately 450 TPD (Tons per Day) to 500 TPD (tons per day) of waste, which increases to approximately 550 to 650 tons per day on special occasions, Nagar Ayukt Jag Pravesh said. Out of total trash produced wet waste amounts to 290 TPD, whereas dry waste is 150 TPD, he added.
The daily number is expected to increase up to 550 TPD in the next 3 years, he said.
Nagar Nigam is able to recycle only 10 to 15 TPD of solid waste as of now. 150TPD to 200 TPD of waste is left untreated daily which has potential environmental and health hazards.
“Collected Waste is taken to processing plants to convert them to Bio earth (soil), RDF (Refuses derived to fuel), and recyclables,” Nagar Ayukt said.
“One Major issue in waste management is Improper waste segregation, in most cases at source, which has the potential to increase pollution, makes recycling even more challenging and multiplies health hazards,” Jag Pravesh said.
He said the City’s old infrastructure poses a big challenge to efficient services, moreover the city is visited by many tourists resulting in continuous waste generation, which requires round-the-clock maintenance, ” he added.
“Another issue is Temporary Workers and Street hawkers disposing of their waste in open areas,” Nagar Ayukt Jag Pravesh said.
“Nigam is also connecting and educating stakeholders through Information education and communication (IEC) initiative to educate them towards proper waste disposal and the harmful effect of open disposal of waste,” Nagar Ayukt said.
“Though most of the waste collection vehicles come with separate compartments for wet and dry waste in residential areas, waste collectors don’t care and mix dry and wet waste, while putting trash in the car,” said local Businessman Satyam Agrawal.
“Nigam organized regular training for field inspectors, supervisors and sanitation workers to build their capacity in identifying and handling different types of waste while ensuring segregation is maintained during collection and transportation,” Nagar Ayukt said.
Nigam is constructing 5 TPD new material recovery centers to efficiently manage plastic waste, he said.
Law Student Snigdh Upadhyay said almost everywhere vendors are still keeping polythene bags. Moreover people still lack information about various types of dustbins and the waste to be disposed of in them.
Showing concern about the monstrous amount of solid waste generated in the city Lok Sabha MP Hema Malini said the Government led by our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated many programs for cleanliness and environment but we need to understand a significant impact and change can only be seen when all stakeholders will start taking responsibility of their actions.
“It’s a collective responsibility and people should start caring for the environment before it gets too late,” she said.
SSP Shlok Kumar points out that nature is not directly involved in our activities now. “Nature was worshipped by our ancestors and it was an essential part of their life but the same is missing today, as all our interactions with nature are mostly at tertiary level” he added.
He said the expression of gratefulness for nature is missing, “We should try to restore that connection in children by taking them close to nature,” he added.
Gopeshwar Nath Chaturvedi petitioner Yamuna Karya Yojna feels selfish behavior is a major cause of this problem. People love to throw waste in the open but hate to use dustbins.
“Individuals offering Bhandara Prashad and those offering milk to God leave Plastic waste in the open left unattended. The dry waste is carried by air to the Yamuna river,” he added.
Dr Lucky Gupta, Principle K R Girls Degree College feels lack of discipline in life is making things worse for us. The accountability for our actions is missing in society. We need value-based education. She added.
She advocated for Rousseau’s idea of “Back to Nature” and wanted young Indians to grow and learn.
Practicing Chartered accountant Kuldeep Arora said the cost of environmental and health degradation is enormous. Small Behavioural changes can address these problems most efficiently.
