Many groups have been cleaning the garbage off the streets by organising clean up drives;
similarly, the Herald-Drishti initiative has been working successfully under
the #Trashtag challenge. The initiative was started with the aim of helping the
public to clear the filth and garbage on beaches and roads. Although people are
happy with the results in the areas that have been covered, how many are really
maintaining it? Isn’t it our duty to take care of these places that have
already been cleaned?
On May 29, 2019, Sancoale was the first
place to be cleaned. Sadly, people have already resumed dumping their garbage
there. Garbage Sentinel Samuel Dorado, who had sent the image of Sancoale,
states, “I have been observing that area over the last week; the garbage is
back in Sancoale. It is so terrible to know how irresponsible citizens we are.
While a favour is being done to us, we cannot even help a little by avoiding
throwing waste in the open.”
It has also been noted that most of the garbage thrown out are
from the people staying in rented houses. Many other people from that area have
been burning their garbage because the bins are far away.
In a recent clean up drive of Goa University campus, multiple
alcohol glass bottles had been collected from the grounds, and in just a week’s
time, the condition is the same again. Professor Shaila Dsouza from the
Department of Women Studies admits that the alcohol bottles are back. “The
campus is open to all. After sunset, people coming here, drink and leave their
empty bottles”
While everyone talks about saving the environment, why is it so
difficult to put it in practice? Speaking to some of the locals, they reveal
that they are occupied with their jobs and have less time to pay attention to
these things. However, even the smallest of changes can have major effects.
Segregating household garbage is a good example of this.
Amey Bhangi from Drishti states, “We are happy to clean and will
always assist. Unfortunately, the issue is not just eradicated with cleaning;
as citizens, we must start asking the reasons behind why we are seeing these
garbage sites.”
Amey also agrees that the panchayat does not collect garbage
that is not segregated. “Therefore, it gets dumped, and this creates trash
sites that are very difficult to clean.” he says.
On behalf of the Herald-Drishti initiative, he urges Goans to
come forward and ask for help if they are not able to segregate. Something that
takes no time to put in place and practice in the house can clean up most of
the issues we see today.
While maintaining the cleanliness after cleanup drives is
important, so is participating and witnessing the cleanup. When the
Herald-Dhristi initiative first began, a lot of people were invited to join and
witness the campaign. Garbage Sentinel Rita Coutinho had sent a couple of
pictures of Davorlim, Zorriwaddo; the area has been piled up with loads of
garbage. She says, “Whenever Herald-Drishti is ready to clean the area, we all
are willing to come forward and volunteer. In our area, there a lot of people
who create problems. I cannot stand alone and was waiting for help to come
around.”
Rita also says that when people witness a clean up, they become
a part of the experience and learn lessons; hence automatically keeping their
surroundings clean.
Let’s
come forward together and participate actively. Let us learn to take care of
the places that have already been cleaned for us and the future generations to
come.
Attn: Garbage Sentinels
1) WHATSAPP photos HERALD CAFÉ WITH #TRASHTAG ON 7666098851
2) Send a message on
WhatsApp or through SMS on 7666098851
3) Call 7666098851
4) Email Herald café
at cafe@herald-goa. com with subject: Garbage Sentinel #Trashtag
5) It is Important
that garbage sentinels sending an image should be present at their location to
witness the clean up drive on the appointed day.
Note: Only images of garbage on streets or beaches are valid.
