Hoteliers give solid waste mgmt programme a miss

Steps to address problems not successful yet

The programme organised by the Pollution Control Board to discuss about solid waste management, in Mandya city, evoked a lukewarm response from hotel owners, as a majority of them did not turn up.

Speaking at a programme on ‘Information, Education and Communication on Solid Waste Management’, organised by the Board, on Friday, Planning Director of the Urban Development Cell Venkataramana Reddy said, solid waste management is a major challenge for developing countries.

It has become a huge problem for not only Mandya City Municipal Council, but for the entire State. Several measures taken by the respective authorities to check the problem has not been a success, especially in cities, he said.

Mandya is in the 15th place in waste management in the State. The impact of poor waste management on the lives of the people should be taken into consideration while chalking out programmes, Reddy said.

He appealed to the people, CMC staff, hotel and choultry owners, hostel wardens and others to cooperate in waste management and keep the city clean. About 80 per cent of the garbage can by recycled and reused. Creating awareness on it among the people is the need of the hour, he said.

District Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr K N Shivakumar said, garbage production is proportionate to the rise in population of the country. Hence, waste segregation at source should be made compulsory, he said.

Instead of using 100 plastic bags that affect the environment, one cloth bag can be used to avert the problem. Latest technology can be adopted to find a solution to the garbage menace, he opined.

CMC vice-president Chandrakala Shivaram, Commissioner N M Shashikumar, Environment Officer Shakuntalabai and others were present.