----------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Green and Stinking --------------------------- The garbage problem has lingered for almost two years in the state, with the latest solution coming in the form of spat between the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Wilfred de Souza and the Urban Development Minister, Mr Joaquim Alemao on the best proposal for garbage disposal. Both of them have separate plans on their stoves, with people who are supposed to benefit having little idea about what is best for them and the green Goa state. Together with the state, politics too has become garbage-ridden.
Ever since the militant resistance by the villagers of Curca to the dumping of garbage from Panaji which witnessed burning down of heavy equipment and blockading of municipal trucks after the wall of the dump collapsed, spilling garbage into the village last year no solution has been found. One reason has been that following the example of Curca, residents of other villages have also opposed the dumping of garbage from Panaji and other cities. In a village where garbage was dumped by night, people attacked a senior official.The problem still remains unresolved. Several times ministers and officials have given the impression that they have found the solution. But the fact remains that the government and the municipal authorities are yet to identify landfill sites to dump garbage generated by the five major cities of Panaji, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco and Ponda. Perhaps, the government has not made a very sincere effort. There was suggestion made that the government get the panchayats to help locate and identify landfill sites, but we have heard more about panchas expressing themselves against garbage dumping than agreeing to work for the solution of the common problem of garbage disposal. The Urban Development Minister, Mr Joaquim Alemao some time back announced government plans to set up mini-garbage plants in the cities of Panaji, Mapusa, Margao and Ponda. Whoever heard of them later! The latest acrimonious debate between the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Wilfred de Souza and the Urban Development Minister, Mr Joaquim Alemao leaves little scope for collecting thinking which is what is required to solve the problem. In the cities of western countries, garbage disposal problems are solved by intense discussions among the general public, businesses, civic authorities and waste haulers. Only after they have reached a consensus on all the aspects of convenient and effective waste disposal and recycling, including the landfill sites, the work is taken up. Since all parties are taken into confidence nay, are active partners the work goes on smoothly, and no public anger is experienced by the men or machines hauling the garbage. It is the collective duty of the state government, political parties, the panchayats, the civic bodies, and the general public to find landfill sites for the disposal of garbage from the major cities of Goa. Garbage disposal is no more a dumping job: there are separations for solid and other wastes. There is a range of technologies for recycling and for the use of garbage for natural fertilisation. The differences between the two ministers are over which type of the garbage disposal plan will be most beneficial and economical. Let there be a collective brainstorming and the sooner, the better on which plan is the best. There is sufficient data on the current and projected quantities of household waste needing to be disposed of in the major cities of the state. Once the best project is identified, the next task will be to finalise a site of the required acre-size. The size should be such as to be able to serve one or more cities waste disposal needs for many years to come. The state and local government authorities must ensure that all loads of material transported to local waste facilities have protection from littering or are covered well. This should apply to all vehicles such as pickup trucks, trailers, drop-boxes and packer trucks. There should be a penalty for non-compliance. This, together with recycling programmes at the landfill, could go a long way in satisfying not only the residents near the site but also the people living along the routes of waste transporation. ---------------------------------------------------- Editorial in the The Navhind Times 07/07/06 page 10 ---------------------------------------------------- ================================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =================================================
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