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Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 01 October 2015

JAMMU: On the eve of celebration of first anniversary of Swach Bharat Abhiyaan week, J&K SPCB, Jammu has taken initiative towards source segregation and waste minimization at the point of waste generation. In this regard, yard waste composting was inaugurated within the premises of SPCB, Jammu by Chairman J&K SPCB Mr Abdul Razak.

He apprised that approximately twenty percent of the solid waste placed in landfills and open dumps consists of yard and garden wastes such as leaves and grass clippings. Through the process of composting, these organic wastes can be recycled to produce a natural material that can be used in gardens, landscapes, and flower beds, he said.

Regional Director, J&K SPCB, Jammu, Shoukat Choudhary stressed that besides municipal authorities, other concerned departments, viz Department of Floriculture and Department of Horticulture should co-operate and play an important role in this regard by educating their gardeners and area inspectors so that waste should be disposed off within the parks and gardens and not subjected to burning which is common practice in the region.

Principal Scientific Officer, J&K SPCB, Mrs. Neelu Sharma apprised that compost when mixed with soil increases the organic matter content, improves the physical properties of the soil, and supplies essential nutrients, enhancing the soil’s ability to support plant growth. Compost can also be applied to the soil surface to conserve moisture, control weeds, reduce erosion, improve appearance, and keep the soil from gaining or losing heat too rapidly.

Divisional Officer, J&K SPCB, Jammu, Bhader Hussain appealed the common masses including all Government and Private Departments, Schools and Universities to adopt this practice readily as being environment friendly and easy to practice without any skills.

I/c MSW, J&K SPCB, Jammu, Mrs. Anuradha also talked about the importance of Decentralized Vermi-composting (in operation in villages by farmers) to manage the Biodegradable waste including dairy waste which should be preferred by farmers so as to increase the crop yield and boost the concept of organic farming and minimize the use of artificial fertilizers. She also invited NGOs and Municipal Corporations to initiate Composting and Vermi-composting on community basis and on the need to raise awareness among citizens by holding meetings and door to door campaigns.