Bengaluru: In a survey in 2013, The Environment Research Institute (TERI) concluded that of all the Indian Metro cities, Bengaluru burns the highest amount of garbage. Years later, the ‘tradition’ continues while the BBMP helplessly turns a blind eye. Burning garbage is more lethal than uncleared garbage.
As weeks pass by with garbage left on the streets, residents across many areas seem to have found a ‘quick fix’. Their answer to BBMP’s empathy-- burn it, if you can’t clear it.
Days after Bengalureans complained that pourakarmikas were not picking up segregated plastic waste, many have now resorted to trash burning in order to clear the garbage themselves.
Residents in areas like Vidyapeeta, Bank Colony in Srinagar, BTM Layout II Stage, Jayanagar 8th Block and Basavanagudi are upset over the fact that there has been a significant increase in garbage burning over the last few weeks.
Soumya.R, a resident of Jayanagar 8th Block, complains that it was impossible to open windows in the evening as some residents set fire to garbage. She adds, “Thick fumes engulf the neighbourhood and stench emanates from the smoke. We have noticed that BBMP pourakarmikas are leaving behind heaps of plastic waste and unable to bear the sight, some residents light fires.”
While garbage burning is not new to the city, a global study suggests that highest emissions from garbage burning were released in developing countries like India, Brazil, Mexico and other countries.
In a study published in Environmental Science & Technology, researchers have compared per capita waste generation figures with officials’ tallies for trash disposal in each country and found that developing countries, including China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Turkey, have the highest emissions from trash burning. The researchers said, “The real amount of garbage that’s simply burned in the open probably far exceeds any official government estimates and the practice exposes people to toxic fumes and adds to air pollution.”
And these emissions directly lead to respiratory problems when inhaled, explains Meenakshi Ravi of SAHAAS, a non-profit organization working towards garbage management solutions.
“Exposure to the smoke emitted by burning of garbage can be fatal or cause permanent damage because Carbon Monoxide is produced when the burning is improper. If inhaled, it enters the blood, affects red blood cells and can even convert hemoglobin into carboxy-hemoglobin. The particles in the smoke can seriously affect children and senior citizens,” she explains, adding that those living in the close to where garbage is burnt are prone to respiratory problems.
The airborne particles in the inhaled smoke that comes from burning leaves and garbage reaches lungs, often causing wheezing, cough and similar infections, warn experts and doctors.
Cubbon Park visitors complain
If you thought walking down a park would be the right place to get some fresh air, think twice, for even our parks are not safe! A video available with Deccan Chronicle shows some sweepers burning leaves and plastic on Cubbon Park premises. Captured around 11.30 am, the video shows a mountain of leaves which had been stored over days, being burnt after the park was cleaned. According to regular walkers, garbage is regularly burnt behind the rose garden on the park premises. “Usually, walkers leave the park by 10 am and morning sweepers clean the park after that. The fallen leaves are stored in one corner which is not accessible to the public and every two or three days, such heaps are burnt. For hours, we can see thick fumes engulfing the area around the rose garden. The Horticulture department officials are aware of this violation but have turned a blind eye,” said a walker, on condition of anonymity.
Sadly, there is a lack of fresh air even on the 192-acre Cubbon Park, which is the city’s only premier lung space.
Garbage explosions in Vidyapeeta, Kathriguppe
Tension prevailed in Vidyapeeta Circle and Sreenivasa Nagar in Kathriguppe on Sunday evening, when heaps of burning garbage exploded. According to Kathriguppe ward official M. Venkatesh, the explosion was heard around 5 pm. Commenting on the incident, he said, “Garbage disposal has been severely affected in the last few weeks. While villagers outside the city don’t want our garbage, Bengalureans are refusing to allow garbage dumping on the road. We have strictly ordered the contractors to clear garbage off the streets. In order to escape penalty, some of the garbage contractors are instructing the pourakarmikas to burn garbage.”
“On Sunday, soon after we were informed that garbage had caught fire and exploded, we rushed to the spot. None of the local residents gave water to douse the fire. They want garbage to be removed even if it’s at the cost of burning it. Despite strict supervision we are unable to control garbage burning,” rued Mr Venkatesh.
He said that garbage exploded due to some chemical bottles which were buried in the heap of garbage.
Protests in Gorur
Yet again, protests against establishing a multi-crore waste management facility with a capacity to handle 500 Metric Tonnes (MT) of waste at Gorur, near Ramanagar in Magadi district, erupted on Monday
morning. It may be recalled that villagers damaged two cars and chased authorities of Satarem away when they went to the spot to lay a foundation stone for commencing work on the plant. On Monday too, villagers burnt tyres as a mark of protest.
Mr. Kantaraj, vice president of Lakkenahalli gram panchayat said that at least 15 colonies belonging to SC/ST community live around the proposed plant. Besides, the area is a catchment area and allowing a waste processing unit would pollute the environment and contaminate the ground water. Besides, about 20 acres of land have been granted to SC/ST community by the government. Religious ‘maths’ are located in the vicinity of the proposed plant. Villagers would not allow this and would keep a strict vigil night and day, said Mr. Kantaraj.
“We will not allow the plant to come up. The high court order will be challenged at the Supreme court. Besides, we demand a high level meeting with authorities of BBMP, Satarem and villagers,” he added.
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