Segregation: Malleswaram tastes success

Bengaluru: When officials and members of public are involved in verbal sparring over segregation of waste, Malleswaram constituency stands out as an exception, where officials and members of public lunch together for their efforts in segregation at source.

As part of Smart Swachh Malleswaram (SSM), which coincides with good governance day, Malleswaram MLA C.N. Ashwathnarayan organized luncheon for around 1,000 people for their best practice — involving themselves in segregation of garbage at source and strive towards making swachch Malleswaram.

Mr Ashwathnarayan told Deccan Chronicle that swachch Malleswaram initiative, which was kick started in October last year, has been a sustained effort and yielded positive result in segregating garbage and reducing the waste sent to landfill. “With the help of Suchi Mitra, volunteers, residents’ welfare association members and BJP party workers, we are able to identify those involved in waste segregation at source. In order to encourage and empower them and to share their experience luncheon was organised at Sheesh Mahal at Palace ground. This helps build a strong network across all the wards in the constituency,” he explained.

In less than a year, the constituency has achieved an aggregate of 45 per cent in segregation at source. The initiative aims to reach 60 per cent by March 2016, he said.

Black spots have been targeted and volunteers have succeeded in bringing them down to a great extent. Besides, a mobile App BBMPSWM is available which can be downloaded. With the help of App, black spots can be brought to the notice of MLA, corporators and officials which would be attended to, said Mr Ashwathnarayan.

Of the total waste of 173 tonnes generated, 23.6 tonnes is segregated wet waste, 5.2 tonnes is dry waste and remaining 144.6 tonnes of mixed waste is being sent to landfill, he said.

Sandhya Narayanan, a member of Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT), appreciated the campaign and said it has been a serious and detailed effort to address many aspects. Black spots are being eliminated and efforts are on to enhance the percentage of segregation at source. If the MLA and corporators continue to show their commitment, the campaign will be a great success, she said.