GHMC awareness drive against burning garbage

Chandrayangutta: As part of 'Saaf Hyderabad – Shaandar Hyderabad,' the GHMC officials, along with NGOs, are generating awareness among the general public as well as the sweepers and Sanitary Field Assistants (SFAs). The open burning of wastage like plastic will now invite penalties not only to households, but also the field workers in adherence to the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) of 2016.

Different wards under Chandrayangutta are going through awareness campaign being undertaken by GHMC officials, along with NGOs. All the seven wards under the circle, including Lalitha Bagh, Riyasat Nagar, Kanchan Bagh, Chandrayangutta, Barkas, Uppuguda and Jangammet have been going through the awareness campaign for some days.

In this campaign, which was attended by higher officials, including GHMC Commissioner Dana Kishore, Additional Commissioner Shruti Ojha, households and sweepers, who have been occasionally found burning the garbage due to lack of awareness in open grounds, were cautioned over burning of garbage waste, particularly plastic.

Speaking to The Hans India, Deputy Project Officer at Urban Community Development N Venu Gopal said that as part of the GHMC initiative, 'Saaf Hyderabad – Shaandar Hyderabad,' all the wards under Chandrayangutta were covered where SFAs, sweepers were provided detailed insight into the environment hazard posed in burning plastic.

"While residents are asked not to dump garbage in containers at designated points, the sweepers as well as the households are being cautioned of the penalties ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000, depending on the magnitude of the environmental damage and the quantity burnt. Now, the GHMC workers not only have to restrain themselves from burning the waste, but also take forward the message strong and clear to each of the households in their vicinity," he said.

The voluntary organisation, Save Foundation, which is involved in generating awareness about the environmental concerns of burning of plastic, has remained in coordination with the GHMC. M Krishna, programme in-charge at the foundation, said that creating awareness was their priority not only among general population, but also in GHMC workers. "We tried to draw attention of these workers about the garbage burning problem, and the impact on environment due to burning plastic," he said.

It may be mentioned here that the GHMC aims to improve the sanitation situation across all 150 wards of the city on a mission mode. It also engaged NGOs to facilitate deployment of Swacchta Ward Action Team (one team member in each ward) in all 150 wards to create general awareness on safe sanitation practices. To implement the project successfully in all 150 wards, the GHMC has appointed Location Specific Officer in each ward and weekly review meetings will be conducted in all the zones.