Two days before Mahashivaratri, the people living near the burial ground near Shantinagar bus stop in Wilson Gardens were surprised to see smoke coming up. They later found that leaf and garden waste had been set on fire in the burial ground, which should have been cleaned before the festival.
Incidents of burning of dry leaves and dry waste are increasing in the city in particular. According to information provided by the control room of the Fire and Emergency Services from January 1 to March 16, 2021, the control room had received 1,021 fire complaints, most of them related to garbage, grass / leaves and other garbage. .
These burning waste / dry leaves are already contributing to poor air quality. A recently compiled ‘World Air Quality Report, 2020’ by IQAir states that pollutant levels were above the World Health Organization’s prescribed limits.
Earlier, marshals were deployed to monitor segregation and ensure that there was no litter in black spots at the ward level. However, with the rise in virus cases in the city, they are now asked to focus on the enforcement of COVID-19 appropriate behavior. With this, the burning of garbage is increasing, residents across the city complained.
President of the Girinagar Residents Welfare Association, Srinivasamurthy Vasudev said that leaf and garden waste burn when the trees shed their leaves in early summer and early summer. “Although pourakarmikas sweep the streets and roads and pile up dry leaves on the side of the roads, civilians set it on fire. The resulting smoke is toxic and can cause severe breathing problems in children and senior citizens.
Renukaprasad GS of Shantinagar Residents Welfare Association claimed that the ancestors also claimed to have piled themselves with fire leaves and piles of dry waste. While this has been brought to the attention of the BBMP on several occasions, the civic bodies only look the other way, he alleged.
Believing that cases of burning of waste have increased, BBMP Special Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) d. Randeep accepted the cases where Puratikrama has set fire. He also admitted that there was little awareness on leaf / garden waste disposal. Heavy fines imposed by the civic body – ranging from bulk 10,000 to imp 25,000, depending on whether they are regular or commercial / bulk waste generators – do not appear to serve as a deterrent.
However, it is difficult to catch the incendiary waste as they fled from the spot, saying such a breach would cost the BBMP in the upcoming clean survey.
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