Inconsistent waste disposal methods

Meat waste disposal across the city does not follow a definite, uniform pattern. This inconsistency couldn’t be more pronounced than in Kadirenahalli, where a large number of meat sellers do brisk business daily. 

Govinda Rao of Santosh Mutton Stall says: “We do not throw away the waste. There is a fixed point in the area, where a BBMP pick up vehicle comes every morning. We go there and give them all the waste from the shop, after which the disposal is left to them. We have been following this practice for the last five to six years.”

However, Ramanna from the chicken stall next to his has a different story to tell. “We don’t really use any system to dispose any of the waste. The owner just dumps them in an open drain somewhere nearby,” he says.

Just a few metres away from these shops is Bismillah Fish and Chicken Centre. Ali, who owns the store, has adopted a different system. “Every morning, we have some people who come and collect the waste from our shops. They are some private contractors; I don’t know their name. But we pay them to take away the waste every morning,” says Ali. 

BBP system 

The waste disposal system follows an entirely different pattern in another place, far removed from human habitation: Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), where carnivorous animals are fed thousands of kilos of meat everyday. The meat arrives here from Shivajinagar. Whole meat is chopped into smaller pieces.

Animals with health problems are fed chicken. According to Range Gowda, executive director, BBP, the meat waste left by the animals are usually only bones. These are collected and dumped inside the forest in a secluded location.

“There are buyers for this waste too. Once in a month, the bones are sold to these buyers who in turn sell them to toothpaste and fertiliser manufacturing companies,” he informs. 

In case of animals that die inside the BBP, the carcasses are usually burnt using firewood from the forest.  Range Gowda explains that most animals die due to some disease and in order to contain the infection, burning is preferred to burying. 

SYED ATHAR, Trader, Shivajinagar 

Slaughter houses should be relocated on the outskirts, which will solve most problems. Stern action should be taken against anyone throwing waste in drainages and open places. Local bodies should launch awareness campaigns to prevent such dumpings.

MOHD IDRIS CHOWDHARY, Russell Market Traders’ Association

BBMP tries to do a job that requires 20 people with barely eight men. Each bag filled with meat waste dumped illegally weighs around 250 kg. Since this place in Russ­e­ll Market is open from all sides, we cannot stop this. 

AZEEZ PASHA, chicken retailer, Islampur

The waste generated by most chicken traders in this area is taken away in the evening by pick-up trucks to lakes near Hoskote, where fish are bred. We pay about Rs 100 a week for trucks. This way, we need not worry about disposing of chicken waste.

KAMAL ABBAS, meat merchant, Tannery Road

I get sheep from Sira, Bijapur, etc and complete the slau­g­htering process at the Tannery Road abattoir. The disposal of wa­s­te is clean here. Elsewh­e­re, the process should be done in hygienic surroundings, without causing problems for residents. 

DR TANVEER ALI, Shekhar Hospital, Basavanagudi

Dumping of meat waste in drainage and open sewers can trigger typhoid, gastroenteritis and other diseases. If pets and other animals come in contact with the decaying waste disposed of this way, diseases could spread.