Plastic Waste Burning in DK Villages Raises Health Concerns, NGO Appeals to Minister
In a concerning development, a non-profit organisation has documented the widespread practice of burning plastic waste in public areas across numerous villages in Dakshina Kannada district. This activity poses serious health hazards to local communities, prompting urgent calls for governmental intervention.
Jana Shikshana Trust Sounds Alarm on Environmental Violations
The Jana Shikshana Trust has formally addressed a letter to Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, highlighting critical issues in waste management. The trust pointed out that garbage accumulation in public spaces, the persistent use of single-use plastics, and the burning of plastic waste often go unchecked in the region. Emphasising the gravity of the situation, the organisation urged the minister to take the matter seriously and convene a special meeting with officials to enforce existing laws against such violations.
Minister Encourages Initiatives but Action Delayed
N Sheena Shetty, the director of the trust, reported that Minister Rao has shown support for the organisation's efforts, particularly their drives aimed at eliminating public dump yards. Shetty noted that the minister was reminded of the urgent need for stringent measures, as previously suggested by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his instructions. "If departments and local administrations had implemented those measures, the district and state could have become litter-free and a role model for others," Shetty stated.
Despite alerts from the World Health Organisation (WHO), directives from the Supreme Court, and Karnataka's law against single-use plastic, waste dumping and burning continue unabated in public gram panchayats of Dakshina Kannada. This persists even though the district boasts many material recovery facilities that are considered models for the entire state.
Call for Strict Enforcement of Waste Management Laws
Shetty emphasised the necessity for rigorous enforcement of all laws related to waste management, specifically targeting the use of single-use plastics and the burning of plastic materials. "Authorities must take appropriate action against those dumping waste in public places under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986," he asserted. This enforcement is crucial to transforming Dakshina Kannada into a swachh (clean) district. The government should also conduct drives to completely eradicate the menace of open waste dumping in the area.
Meeting Postponed Due to Unforeseen Circumstances
Originally, District Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao was scheduled to meet with representatives of the Jana Shikshana Trust on February 10 to discuss these pressing issues. However, the minister's tour programme was cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances, delaying potential resolutions. The trust remains hopeful for a rescheduled meeting to address the health and environmental risks posed by ongoing plastic waste burning in the villages.
