Bengaluru: Lalbagh is following in the footsteps of Cubbon Park and is planning to compost leaf waste, as clearing tonnes of dry leaves, spread over 200-300 acres of area in these parks is humanly impossible.
“This is a demo, for which we will use smaller leaf composters to begin with. Cubbon Park just started this experiment a few weeks ago and we are launching it next week in Lalbagh. These composters can at present clear only 5 percent of leaf waste. The real, bigger composters should be able to handle 80% of the park's load," said Joint Director of Horticulture Dr Jagadeesh.
“We decided to try this, on the suggestion of solid waste management expert Ramakanth. If it works, we will opt for bigger composting pits," he said.
Mr Mahantesh Murgod, Deputy Director of Cubbon Park, said that the current size of one pit is 5x5 feet in diameter and height. “2,000 kg of leaves brought in by two tractors can be stored in one such pit. Coco peat, neem cake powder, a micro-organism solution and water are used to decompose the leaves. Within four months, 300 kg of manure will be ready to be used in the park," he said.
Dry leaves are not only difficult to be cleaned, but also pose the risk of catching fire, he said. Cubbon Park has eight composting pits, near Bal Bhavan, Wadiyar statue, UB City, Vidhana Soudha among others places. Lalbagh too will start with eight pits.
