Panaji: Most panchayats across Goa have developed their own models of waste management with varying degrees of success and shortcomings, but self-governing bodies in hinterland talukas have to cover a lot of ground still due to lack of revenue and technical support.
Ten cyclists, who rode across the state to drive home the message about the importance of segregation of waste at source and recycling, experienced first hand the state's garbage management system in rural and some urban areas.
"Each village panchayat has its own model, which may not be the best system or efficient. But panchayats that were not collecting waste earlier have started to now," programme manager, mineral foundation of Goa (MFG), Parag Rangnekar said.
The foundation had organized the rally from October 25 to 29 for the second time after 2015, this time in association with Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC).
The 12-taluka cycling expedition through 63 panchayats, four municipal councils and a corporation to sensitize stakeholders helped compare the present scenario with that prevalent two years earlier. "We see an appreciable difference on the ground, but panchayats relying on government funding have to make compromises," Rangnekar, who was one of the cyclists, said.
The panchayats in Sanguem and Canacona largely engage, in a bid to cut corners, fewer labourers than required. In many cases, a single female worker, who fetches less than a male one, has to manage the task of gathering waste in a large area.
The government is wary of disbursing a larger quantum of fund under the apprehension that these may be diverted by the panchayats for other purposes. "This may be true as elected representatives in panchayats are often not serious about waste management, but the government could monitor efficient ones that have inadequate funds at their disposal," a garbage manager said.
Proper waste collection systems are missing in hinterland talukas. Initiatives can be seen on the ground, but waste collection is done at random intervals and a regular schedule is yet to be chalked out and enforced.
"Generally, the collection is sporadic and it is neither efficient nor well planned," a cyclist said. The other reason is that panchayat leaders think that the quantum of waste is less.
"They think they are not generating that much waste, but this is not correct if you look at the consumption level," Rangnekar said.
Ten cyclists, who rode across the state to drive home the message about the importance of segregation of waste at source and recycling, experienced first hand the state's garbage management system in rural and some urban areas.
"Each village panchayat has its own model, which may not be the best system or efficient. But panchayats that were not collecting waste earlier have started to now," programme manager, mineral foundation of Goa (MFG), Parag Rangnekar said.
The foundation had organized the rally from October 25 to 29 for the second time after 2015, this time in association with Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC).
The 12-taluka cycling expedition through 63 panchayats, four municipal councils and a corporation to sensitize stakeholders helped compare the present scenario with that prevalent two years earlier. "We see an appreciable difference on the ground, but panchayats relying on government funding have to make compromises," Rangnekar, who was one of the cyclists, said.
The panchayats in Sanguem and Canacona largely engage, in a bid to cut corners, fewer labourers than required. In many cases, a single female worker, who fetches less than a male one, has to manage the task of gathering waste in a large area.
The government is wary of disbursing a larger quantum of fund under the apprehension that these may be diverted by the panchayats for other purposes. "This may be true as elected representatives in panchayats are often not serious about waste management, but the government could monitor efficient ones that have inadequate funds at their disposal," a garbage manager said.
Proper waste collection systems are missing in hinterland talukas. Initiatives can be seen on the ground, but waste collection is done at random intervals and a regular schedule is yet to be chalked out and enforced.
"Generally, the collection is sporadic and it is neither efficient nor well planned," a cyclist said. The other reason is that panchayat leaders think that the quantum of waste is less.
"They think they are not generating that much waste, but this is not correct if you look at the consumption level," Rangnekar said.
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