Anil Chinniah
Bengaluru is facing a crisis! In the past 25 years (since 1990), the city’s population has increased from 4 million to 10 million (8.4 million in 2011 census). During this time, the number of vehicles has gone up from 5 lakh to 50 lakh. The city is fast losing its green cover, trees are chopped for road widening, mall construction, billboard space, you name it.
Many parts of the city have four times more than the permissible limit of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM). All of this is taking its toll on the quality of life in the city. Shockingly, it is estimated that over 25 percent of children in Bengaluru now have Asthma.
While it is true that the BBMP and other government departments are responsible for different aspects of the cities governance, the recent growth is overwhelming even for the best of governance. As Bengalurians we can complain, but is that all that we can do? We live in the city, we add to the traffic, we generate waste, we pollute water, in other words we add to this crisis. The question to ponder is, should we just be part of the problem, or can we be part of the solution to make this a better, more liveable city?
Every one of us can make a difference! What starts with a ‘can do’ attitude can go a long way. Shed the attitude that only keeping your house clean is enough. Take responsibility for your neighbourhood and the whole city. On the occasion of World environment day, plant a sapling ! Make a commitment to look after it till the next environment day in 2016 !
Educate yourself on the issues facing the city. How much waste does the city generate, how much do you generate? Talk to the Pourakarmikas who sweep your street, talk to the garbage pickup staff, find out what happens to your waste? Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Can you reduce the waste generated, reduce use of plastic bags, maybe reuse plastic bags (most plastic bags are used only once), better still carry a cloth bag when you go shopping. Understand the need to segregate waste, and how it can be done. Find out about E-waste and how to safely dispose electronic equipment. A visit to a ‘Kasa Rasa’ (solid waste management unit, we have one in Koramangala) will be an eye opener. Inform yourself about air pollution, its causes and ways to ameliorate the situation.
Make small changes in your way of living, walk to the nearby shop, or perhaps cycle instead of driving. Public transportation may come as a pleasant surprise, find out about the bus services in your locality. Find out about our water source and usage. Make sure there are no leaky taps in your house. Ensure proper rain water harvesting and install a solar water heater if possible. Try not to waste water or electricity. Ensure that no garbage is burnt anywhere, hold the authorities accountable.
Empower yourself! Do you know where your local BBMP ward office is located? Do you know your BBMP councilor, do you know the concerned engineers in your ward, the health officer etc… Reach out and talk to them on issues in your ward. Be aware of their responsibilities, understand their constraints and see how you can work together. Also, question them and hold them accountable to their duties. You can articulate your concerns, even post photographs of violations on departmental websites. These can have a big impact. Each of these might sound trivial, but if all of us are involved, our collective action can make all the difference.
While there is much you can do as an individual, your power is enhanced as part of a group. Reach out to like-minded residents. Become part of a residents welfare association (RWA) if it already exists, if not, you can perhaps start a residents association. Reach out to active RWA’s in the city, understand how they function. Coordinated action by a community can work wonders. In our neighbourhood in Koramangala, our 3rd block RWA maintains a wonderful park. We have successfully initiated a waste segregation and dry waste pick up effort since 2011. We compost all our leaf litterpreventing it from being burnt while generating valuable organically rich compost. The RWA has also been responsible for planting 250 saplings so far in the neighbourhood.
While certain facts about our fast growing city are gloomy, the future of Bengaluru will depend on the actions of its residents. Many cities around the globe have turned around admirably, and given the educated cosmopolitan populace that Bengaluru hosts, there is no reason why our city cannot justifiably regain the title of ‘Garden City’ instead of the pejorative but sadly more accurate title of ‘Garbage city’.
Anil Chinniah is a resident of Koramangala. Born and raised in the city, he is Bengalurian to the core and remains optimistic about the city’s future. He however urges Bengalurians to get involved and take ownership of the city’s problems. ‘Swalpa Adjust Madi’ is passe, the time for action is now he says.
Citizens involvement, the need of the hour!
