MANGALORE: An official meeting convened by A.M. Kunjappa, chief executive officer (CEO) of the zilla panchayat on solid waste and wastewater management in gram panchayats discussed problems faced in handling waste, here on Tuesday.

The meeting decided to let gram panchayats have a say on the issue under powers vested in them by the Karnataka Panchayati Raj Act, 1993.

Mr. Kunjappa told The Hindu that the meeting decided to sensitise vendors to provide degradable waste to farmers on a trial basis. They in turn could use it to produce vermi compost.

In addition, the Department of Horticulture too would provide information and train members of self-help groups (SHGs) to produce vermi compost. The department is presently training farmers to produce vermi compost, he said. According to Mr. Kunjappa, an important component of training for SHG members would be to teach them basic concepts of solid waste management such as segregation of biodegradable waste from non-biodegradable waste.

SHGs

The SHGs could also be encouraged to market the vermi compost produced by them to farmers or directly market the same to persons interested in using vermi compost for agricultural operations, he added.

On the issue of wastewater management, especially those generated by village eateries, the CEO said predominantly laterite soil structure in the district would not allow for effective seepage of water into lower soil strata.

The gram panchayat was of the opinion that these eateries should construct a common leach pit and divert all wastewater generated into such a facility using a system of closed pipe network and not open drains.

MoU

The meeting also resolved to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the corporation to enable the urbanised gram panchayats to use the sewage treatment plant at Pachchanady.

Besides, the gram panchayats would sensitise people to make use of the bio-medical waste treatment plant set up at Karnad Industrial Area near Mulki and take steps to ban plastic bags in their areas.

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