Varanasi Garbage Dump to Become Dense Forest
In a major step towards freeing the city from accumulated waste, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) initiated the disposal process at the Karsada dumping ground on Tuesday. Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari formally launched the project, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated it on April 28. The mayor announced that within a year, the garbage dump will be transformed into a dense forest.
Government Support and Vision
Speaking at the event, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, remarked that those who currently despise the mountain of garbage will find peace in the garden that will be developed there 1.5 years later. He highlighted that the conversion of garbage into charcoal and electricity is already being carried out successfully.
Scale of the Problem
Mayor Tiwari revealed that approximately 12.64 lakh metric tons of garbage have accumulated over the past decade at the Karsada site, posing severe environmental and health hazards for nearby residents. The VMC has taken responsibility for scientifically eliminating this waste.
Project Details and Budget
A budget of Rs 53.15 crore has been allocated for the project. The garbage will be sorted and disposed of through the ‘biomining’ process. The corporation plans to develop a dense forest on the 25-acre land using Japan’s renowned ‘Miyawaki’ technique. This initiative will not only reduce the city’s carbon footprint but also create an eco-friendly green belt, strengthening the local ecosystem.
Implementation and Monitoring
Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal stated that the city generates 1,200 to 1,300 metric tons of waste daily, which is currently being disposed of completely. The Karsada effort will be a major milestone in the ‘Swachh Kashi-Sundar Kashi’ campaign. The company ‘Eco Stan Infra Private Limited’ has been tasked with waste disposal using biomining technology. A special ‘Kleemann machine’ is being employed, and the entire process will be monitored via drones.
Community and Environmental Impact
Poonam Maurya of the district panchayat expressed that the project will turn the area into a safe and clean heritage for future generations. The green belt will enhance the city’s beauty and purify the local air. Additionally, the corporation expects to earn approximately Rs 10 crore in additional income through carbon credits from this process.
