KSPCB chief skeptical of BBMP's dry waste plan

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairman Vaman Acharya on Wednesday said the BBMP lacks clarity on disposing the dry waste it collects.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at the KSPCB office, Acharya, however, hailed the Palike for undertaking the Herculean task of educating the masses on segregation of garbage at source, its implementation and scientific disposal of waste. But he was critical of the way BBMP planned to handle dry waste, particularly plastic waste.

“There seems to be an absence of clarity on dry waste. I am not convinced with the BBMP's plan. They talk about many things, but no initiative has been taken as yet. They also say that they are in talks with ITC, but the plan did not sound too impressive to me,” he added.

Acharya said he recently gave a presentation to BBMP Commissioner Rajneesh Goel on dealing with garbage. He was happy that the segregation of garbage was gaining momentum.

“If segregation happens 100 per cent, then wet waste, which I call wet manure, can be sold to farmers. There is a huge demand for wet waste,” said Acharya.
Besides KSPCB, Gandhi Krishi Vijnana Kendra and Organic Farming Mission, a subsidiary of the Karnataka government, were guiding the BBMP on converting wet waste into compost, Acharya said.

BBMP ready

Goel said he would readily seek the advice of the KSPCB and other agencies.
“It is our good fortune that an expert like Vaman Acharya has taken over as the KSPCB chairman, who has been enriching us with his vast experience,” said Goel.
He, however, clarified that ITC has an impressive mechanism to dispose of dry waste, particularly the plastic waste.