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The local vegetable market buzzes with activity at Moodbidri town in Dakshina Kannada district almost every day. Last Friday was no different. It was difficult to find waste in the crowded market premises where around 150 stalls were stationed. Same was the case in the nearby bus stand, and in the residential localities ofthe town. There was neither a roadside bin nor a container to collect solid waste.
This town of around 30,000 people is a litter-free zone.
Source point
Around 9,000 houses and 2,400 business establishments, including petty shops and commercial complexes in the town segregate solid waste at source before handing it over to the town’s municipality. This solid waste management practice has been in force for the past one year.
A.L. Vas, who has a small shop in the local market, says that Rayappa, chief officer of the Moodbidri Town Municipality, is often seen in the market as early as 7.30 am every day. He is either accompanying the vehicle operators collecting solid waste and overseeing their operations, or asking people to hand over segregated solid waste to the collectors.
Rayappa says that the municipality started a drive to create awareness on segregating solid waste at source and handing it over to the municipality. Many people in the town obliged.
Fines to the rescue
However, some people either mixed both wet and dry solid waste before handing it over, or strew them at public places. It was then that he thought of using the powers vested under the Karnataka Municipal Act to impose fines on them. This yielded results.
The collection of solid waste and its disposal is carried by two self-help groups (SHGs) in the town. Whenever the SHG members went for solid waste collection and monthly fees earlier, they were either made fun of or were not given money properly. Now, no one dares that as they are aware of the fact that the denial would lead them to trouble in the form of fine, and revoking of the licence in case of business establishments.
Self sufficient
Rayappa says that the wet solid waste is sent to the Soans Farm near Moodbidri for preparing the compost. Some portion of the dry waste is sold to scrap dealers, and the rest is sent to the Pachchanady landfill near Mangalore.
The Moodbidri town municipality is constructing its own landfill site, and is expected to be commissioned soon.
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