Mysuru:“The responsibility of waste management should be borne by every citizen,” opined Dr. M.R. Ravi, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Dakshina Kannada.

He was speaking on ‘Cleanliness and solid waste management’ at the two-day seminar ‘Vision Mysuru -2030’ organised by Chintakara Chavadi which commenced yesterday at Ganabharathi in Kuvempunagar here.

Dr. Ravi pointed out that crores of rupees was being spent in city limits for managing solid and liquid wastes and averred that it was not an easy task. He added that expecting a 100% efficiency was wrong. Hence, he felt that waste management should be left to citizens for effective maintenance of cleanliness in city.

Going further, Dr. Ravi suggested that a bio-fuel generation unit should be established in every house where the generated fuel could be used for daily requirements of the house.

He contended that the process would pave way for waste management and also help to maintain cleanliness. He added that dependence on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) would also come down.

Continuing, Dr. Ravi observed that plastic waste was a very big problem to handle and added that research was on the convert plastic to fuel. Referring to Dakshina Kannada district, Ravi said that Anganawadi Centres there were also being used as plastic waste collection centre and added that every household accumulates plastic waste and hands over to Anganawadi Centre on 2nd Saturday of every month which would be duly compensated. He hence appealed citizens to come out with alternative plans to handle wastes.

Referring to rampant urbanisation, Dr. Ravi opined that if water bodies were not protected, every city will lose its identity by converting itself into a concrete jungle. He suggested that waste water could be treated and re-used for gardens. He asked officers concerned to have diligence and integrity in work. He added that the officers by giving responsibility to citizens on waste management should not wash off their hands but instead give good and adequate support. He also asked the officers and public to develop awareness on rejection of unnecessary items, usage of minimum resources and the concept of recycling.

Speaking on the occasion, former MLC G. Madhusudan opined that MCC, MUDA and PWD were contributing to generation of huge wastes.

Citing an example, he said that when a road is re-laid, the old road surface will be dug and the generated debris will be useless and hence dumped at some place and just forgotten. He alleged that the officers concerned  will not show any interest either to relay the road which will have greater durability or reuse the excavated debris.