From garlands floating about in streams and ponds, tocountless bits and scraps of paper found strewn in the streets, there a greatdeal of waste generated during feasts and festivals.
Having accepted this as fact, the question arises as to howbest to deal with the situation at hand that seems to be a looming and ever-growingmenace.
When asked about the recently ended Ganesh Chaturthicelebrations, Atmaram Barve, Secretary, Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha believes,“This festival has all the offerings which are naturally grown. By introducingartificial elements such as thermocol and burning crackers, we are killing thevery spirit of the festival.
Some NGO’s have introduced the idea of ‘nirmalya-collection’for vermicompost. Such concepts should be promoted and this festival must becelebrated and enjoyed in its true sense and spirit.” Firecrackers create a lotof noise pollution and cause a lot of distress to animals and birds. Avoid themif possible or localise their use in a community to an open field. Do help toclear up the mess in your neighbourhood once the festivities are over.
Saurabh Karkhanis, a Panjim based dramatist speaks on hispreference regarding idols, and how they can in themselves aid in wastereduction. “I prefer the ones made from clay and not plaster of Paris as theycause pollution that is harmful to aquatic creatures,” he opines.
With noise levels above 125 decibels potentially causingtemporary or permanent deafness, an increase in blood pressure, or even heartattacks, Karkhanis adds, “Regarding firecrackers, my preference lies with thosethat don’t make any noise because I detest the noise that they make. Moreover,the left over fi recrackerpieces of paper affect the beauty of the area.” LauMamledar, an MLA from Ponda states with pride, “All the waste created inmarkets, especially during the festival season, is tended to by themunicipality.
With the help of residents of Ponda that are more civically inclined,the agricultural waste is collected, decomposed and converted into manure.While a permanent solution in the form of a treatment plant has been proposedfor the government’s consideration, the land acquisition is under process.”
Fireworks are non-biodegradable, and in places with poorwaste management, they end up clogging up drains, with the residues of toxicchemicals entering streams and rivers. Most fi reworks are made using childlabour. Children exposed to such heavy metals and chemicals often suffer inhealth. Patricia Pinto, a co-opted member of CCP, had plenty to say on a topicthat she holds quite dear to herself. “Whenever there is an exhibition, weinsist that there are bins kept at the site. The organisers are responsible forthe waste created. Festivals are normally celebrated in the house so the wasteproblem is not much of a headache, except for the waste created by fi recrackers on the roads.
The waste, which is usually half-burnt paper, cannot be usedfor recycling. The municipality collects this waste. In cities, every road isswept. It definitely adds to the workload but it can be dealt with. It is thejob of the local body “ to keep the place clean. If one puts up a properproposal, the government will be more than willing to help.”
