Sir,

It pains me reading about extreme callous attitude of our brethren who ruthlessly dump garbage in public and private lands too, unmindful of the consequential hazard on the environment in the already rotten situation owing to the pandemic. It shows lack of basic civic sense on their part.

A few pictures that recently appeared in these columns, aptly explain why COVID-19 is surging by the day. After all one needs to self-realise that Government alone can’t look to every minute aspect and it is our responsibility too to extend support giving a helping hand to the administration, least by keeping our surroundings clean and tidy. It is time we all give a serious thought on this and ensure that our heritage city regains the clean city tag it richly deserves.

My temple town Nanjangud is not afar in blatant disregard to this mindset. Domestic waste is strewn here, there and everywhere; in between residential houses or wherever vacant spaces are sighted. The mike announcement by the City Municipality every day calling for segregation of wet and dry wastes fall on deaf ears.

To cite an example, anyone crossing the 19th Cross in the Extension area (between Rashtrapathi & MGS Roads) can easily find heavy pile of garbage of all kinds heaped at a private land facing the busy MGS road. Domestic waste, dried leaves, tender coconut shells, beer bottles, torn clothes, plastic & glass pieces, rotten fruits, carcass of dead animals and what not — all are thrown here on a daily basis (see picture).

Come evening, push cart eateries throng the place, followed by stray dogs all around. It is high time the City Municipality strictly warns the site owner to not only fence his area but put out a board warning severe action against the violators.

– N. Devarajan, Nanjangud, 30.7.2020

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