Mysuru: The Mysuru ZP has initiated various measures to make the 256 gram panchayats free from waste. The zilla panchayat initiated the establishment of zero waste management treatment units across all its gram panchayats (GPs). Initially, zero waste management plants were set up in 98 GPs, a number that has now been extended to the remaining 158 GPs.Additionally, the zilla panchayat decided to adopt the Kolar model of waste management, involving women self-help groups for end-to-end solid waste management. This approach focuses on door-to-door collection and segregation at the source, to make chief minister’s home district free from waste.Zilla panchayat has directed the remaining 158 gram panchayats to start the construction of waste management units. Special emphasis has been placed on population-dominated hobli-centric gram panchayat villages.The GPs were instructed to construct these units using funds under the MNREGA scheme. Among the 158 GPs, construction of waste management sheds is already underway in 89 GPs, with the remaining 69 set to begin work as the work orders have been issued by the zilla panchayat.Zilla panchayat has also engaged women self-help group members, providing necessary training to operate four-wheel auto tippers for door-to-door garbage collection in villages. The collected waste is then transported to waste segregation units. Furthermore, green and blue plastic baskets have been distributed to all households in the gram panchayat villages for the segregation of dry and wet waste. The waste is handed over to pourakarmikas and auto tippers who visit the villages on alternate days to collect it. Gram panchayat staff are also raising awareness among villagers to segregate waste in the provided baskets before handing them over to the pourakarmikas.In addition, the ZP has instructed all shopkeepers and commercial establishments in main gram panchayat headquarters villages, major streets, circles, and shops to place dustbins in front of their shops to prevent littering. Defaulters have been strictly warned that their licenses may be suspended if they fail to comply with these rules. Gram panchayats have also been permitted to earn additional income by selling recyclable materials such as plastic tubs, bottles, and papers, which constitute approximately 35% of the collected waste.Mysuru ZP deputy secretary Krishnaraju stated that the ZP also engaged women self-help groups and trained them to operate auto tippers for door-to-door collection and segregation of waste at the source.Speaking to TOI, ZP CEO S Ukesh Kumar said that after the Union govt launched Swaccha Abhiyan and began awarding Gandhi Gram Puraskar and other incentives to maintain cleanliness in villages.
