Bal Bhavan: Dry leaves a burning issue here

Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

The state government is supposed to discourage and punish those burning dry leaves or garbage at public places to prevent air pollution. But who will punish the employees of a state government organisation for the same offence?

Employees of Jawahar Bal Bhavan are burning dry leaves on the premises instead of composting them.

As per the Section 19(5) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, burning of solid wastes including twigs and leaves of plants in open places, within the jurisdiction of all urban local bodies including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and in solid waste landfill sites throughout the state is banned. The penalty for garbage burning was fixed at Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for the first time and Rs 5,000 for the second time.

“It is disgusting to see a few employees of Jawahar Bal Bhavan burning dry leaves. It seems the authorities are interested in preaching to children on the importance of preserving the environment, but not to practice the same and use dry leaves for compost,” said Showbhagya N, a visitor to Cubbon Park.

On Thursday, two employees of Jawahar Bal Bhavan were seen burning dry leaves instead of depositing at a designated place on the premises. “It is quite shocking to see smoke billowing from a vacant space near Putani Express Station. I do not know whether Jawahar Bal Bhavan authorities have raised awareness among the employees on the ill-effects of burning dry leaves. I want the authorities to take a stringent action against those responsible for putting heaps of dry leaves on fire,” said Prakash S, a visitor.

It is surprising to see not a single metal leaf composter or a dry leaf shredder is there at Jawahar Bal Bhavan, where developmental works worth crores of rupees are in progress.

Condemning those responsible for putting dry leaves on fire at Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Dr A N Yellappa Reddy, an environmentalist, has advised the employees of Jawahar Bal Bhavan to keep dry leaves at the leaf composter unit situated in Cubbon Park.

“I want the Jawahar Bal Bhavan authorities to take action against those responsible for burning dry leaves on the premises. I think the employees of Jawahar Bal Bhavan lack awareness,’’ Dr Reddy said.

When infor med, Bal Bhavan Society chairman Chikkamma Basavaraj has said that she was not aware about the burning of dry leaves on the premises. “I have directed the Group D employees to dump dry leaves at one corner of the premises and convert it into compost. We are expecting to get one or two dry leaf shredders shortly. I will inquire and, if need arises, issue a memo to the employee responsible for putting dry leaves on fire,” Chikkamma said.