Instead of transporting city's garbage to landfills, MCC workers continue to burn garbage on every street. In Chamundipuram where I live, you can see such fires every hundred feet. Needless to say, this is causing terrible pollution and releasing dangerous gases such as dioxin into the atmosphere. Since the garbage is piled up next to the nearest compound, the burning also causes disfigurement and damage to the compound. If there is no nearby compound, the garbage is lit next to a roadside tree, causing irreparable damage to the tree.
The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 came into effect in 2001 itself. All municipal bodies must compulsorily follow these rules. According to Schedule II of the Rules, burning of garbage and dry leaves is forbidden. Any violation of the provision of the MSW Rules, 2000 attracts the penal provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. According to Sec. 15 of the Act, each violation of the Rules is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years and/or a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or with both, and in case the violation continues, with additional fine of up to five thousand rupees per day.
Even though these Rules have been in effect for fourteen years, it is shocking that MCC is still burning garbage. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board which is in charge of enforcing these Rules should take serious note of the violations and throw the book at MCC officials for their continued callousness.
T N Manjunath, MGP