It's rather tragic to see Goa's garbage problems grow on all sides, and
the political class, bureaucracy and citizenry stare on helplessly. What
is worse is that some promote a "I'll dump garbage in your backyard
instead of mine" approach as a solution to the crisis.
At the same time, it appears that two main aspects of this
problem are left wholly unaddressed, for obvious reasons:
firstly, the issue of the plastic menace (Goa has a law, which
is unimplemented largely, and plastics contribute vastly to
making garbage unbiodegradeable). Secondly, there's also the
issue of middle-class over-consumption.
In a recent news report (Indian Express, July 20), one read about how
Versova in Mumbai had "a fix for its garbage crisis". Quote: "In
Versova, (there's) a fix for the garbage crisis. Odourless, nutritious
(to plants) and boasting US patent, busy bacteria offer solution.
There's none of the stink normally associated with garbage. This dump is
transforming into granular organic matter rich in stabilised nutrients
and looks a lot like natural soil. The technique, developed by Dr H S
Shankar, professor in the Chemical Engineering Department of IIT-Powai,
has now received a US patent. Under his guidance, Dr Uday Bhawalkar did
a PhD on the same technique in 1996 and now runs a firm, Bhawalkar
Ecological Research Institute in Pune, that is dedicated to solid-waste
and effluent treatment."
This might be relevant to Goa. Maybe not. Just thought of sharing it...
FN
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_/ Frederick Noronha | Independent Journalist | Ph 832.2409490
_/ 784 Saligao 403511 Goa India | [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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