The Chief Minister while addressing the gathering on the Goa Revolution Day has candidly declared that by June 18, 2018 Goa will herald into a plastic-free and garbage-free paradise. What a relief it would be if this statement would translate into a reality by next year. It is the dream of every Goan that this beautiful place which has been so badly tarnished by this hazard is rescued from this scourge once and for all. Yet it is extremely important to accept that it would be one of the greatest challenges to liberate the state from this problem.
First, let us focus on the plastic waste. Recently a bold statement was made that the plastic bags will be banned and those seen carrying such bags would be severely fined. Though it sounds simple, it is worth realizing that it is not just the plastic bags that matter but a lot of product that comes packaged in plastic material. Is there any solution to the thousands of plastic sachets carrying the dairy products like milk, yogurt etc getting accumulated every day? Likewise, what about the grocery items like cereals, pulses packed in the plastic bags? So is the case with the ready-made wear stacked in the plastic containers. Thus the focus should be on segregation of plastic waste and recycling it instead of merely involving in the wishful thinking of an ideal plastic ban.
As for the garbage in general, there may be many areas in Goa like the one we have in our vicinity in Merces. With the garbage so rampantly strewn in some locations and the street cattle feasting over it, particularly in the rainy season, the road gets reduced to one-way traffic situation. There is no point displaying the warning signs that dumping garbage is an offence and that trespassers will be prosecuted, when no action is initiated. Around the area that we stay in Merces, though every residential complex has facilities for garbage collection, segregation and orderly disposal, there are disorderly elements from around who dump their garbage along the roadside.
During the last Panchayat elections every candidate who visited us pledged to resolve the garbage issue. We eagerly wait to see when and whether at all it would be a reality.
