Belthangady: Rapid urbanisation has increased pressure on civic waste management and most civic agencies find it extremely difficult to process waste. But Laila gram panchyath in Belthangady taluk is an exception where simple methods have been employed to reap rich dividends. With their unceasing efforts, the GP has not only won many awards, but has become a model for the rest to emulate.
Laila GP with an overall area of 1859 hectares has around 7084 residents. Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayath has recognized the efforts of the members, officials and has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs 20 lakhs. The GP has recycled the financial assistance into investment for solid waste management, thereby producing cost effective bio-fertilizers.
One building has been constructed to segregate solid water and adjacent to that building is a small shed built for plastic segregation. A compound wall with a gate surrounds the building. A concrete road is provided to access the waste disposal and segregation area with ease. Lush green grass is grown around to ensure that the waste disposal centre has nature friendly ambiance.
In Laila GP, a small goods auto rickshaw reaches very door step to collect waste on a daily basis. The residents segregate dry and wet waste and drop it in the waste carrier at the allotted time. The waste is then ferried to solid waste management plant where it will be converted to bio-fertilizer. There are 3 pits in the building which can store a week’s waste. Waste devoid of plastics is processed by pouring bacon-pro powder to produce bacteria. The chemical reaction takes 8 days to convert waste to bio-fertilizer and the end product will not have any foul smell. The bio-fertilizer thus obtained has been certified by Ganesh consultancy and Analytical Service Company, a private agency involved in manure certification. The state agricultural and horticultural departments have given green signal to users to employ the product, titled ‘Laila Gold’. Many agriculturists and farmers procure the recommended manure at Rs 8 per kilogram and the revenue earned through this makes Laila GP financially strong and stable.
Awards galore
Recognizing Laila GP’s efforts both central and state governments have given away many cash awards and grants.
For creating awareness on plastic usage using dumps at various strategic locations, Laila GP was given Nirmala Grama Puraskar along with Rs 5 lakh financial grant.
For involving villagers in the developmental activities and providing ideal conditions for development through regular village level meetings, the GP received Gourav Grama Sabha Puraskar along with Rs 5 lakh cash award from the Central government.
For setting up waste disposal plant to produce bio fertilizers, napkin unit and for encouraging pottery the GP received Nairmalya Ratna award from the State government along with a grant of Rs 16 lakh.
The GP also received Gandhi Gram Puraskar award along with Rs 5 lakh grant.
For establishing Napkin unit through women self help groups, the GP received Rs 1 lakh in cash and bravery award instituted jointly by government and private sector.
Stake holders’ views
People’s co-operation can lead to several beneficial projects, opined Prakash Shetty, Panchayth development officer of Laila GP.
According to Girish Dongre, Vice President of Laila GP, people sometimes fail to segregate plastic from other waste which causes a lot of inconvenience.
Good quality plastics are bought by a trader after they undergo cleaning process, but lot of awareness has to be created regarding plastic usage, he said.
