Mangalore: A week after welcoming a new way of handling garbage in the coastal city,  public awareness of the system appears to be poor, and this is hampering the effective implementation of the system.

Reports in some sections of print media pointed fingers at the contactor and the MCC (Mangalore City Corporation) alike, for the snail-like pace in generating public awareness on the usage of the new system.

Contrary to the general perception, doing the rounds in sections of media and public domain, renowned activist and President Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi, Ravindranath Shanbhag contended that, as much as 90% of the onus of handling waste lies with civic society.

He is at present closely monitoring the new waste management program initiated by the Mangalore City Corporation in his own personal interest.

Shanbhag expressed the view that, self-motivation among the public while handing over the waste is important, as it would lessen the burden on the part on the garbage collectors. “Unless people actively take part in the waste management program, the system cannot be implemented in a comprehensive manner”.  He said people’s involvement was the fulcrum around which the system revolves.

Fuelling the debate on the responsibility for a clean city, he said “30%-35% of the solid waste is  generated by hotels, malls and markets. Sadly however, these stakeholders of the waste management system, fail to actively participate in the chain of waste handling”.

“The premises of markets and hotels are a picture of this sorry state of affairs. Though MCC has spread awareness on the issue, civic society’s lack of participation slows down the process of cleaning, he asserted

He argued, “pointing figures at the implementing authority for every flaw had become a habit and this does not help in fulfilling the concept of a ‘clean city.’ The general public has to learn to carry the burden of cleaning their city on their shoulders rather than perpetually complaining about the authorities.

The MCC, the authority responsible for imparting awareness to the Mangalurian public, after the kick-start of the program, has been criticized of lagging behind in this very important aspect of the program.

A few reports in the media have stated that a lack of awareness is hindering the work process of the waste handling taken up by M/s Antony Waste Handling Cell Pvt Ltd. However, the in-charge of IEC (Information, Education and Communication) cell, M K Pramila contradicted these reports. “The MCC is toiling relentlessly to create awareness on the new system”, she said.

She said many awareness campaigns were outlined and conducted, such as street plays, information campaigns in schools and colleges, audio and video advertisements, and many more. “The corporation has already erected a few hoardings in appropriate locations, even as pamphlets on waste management have been initiated in the new mechanism”, she said.

When asked about self-motivation required within the public she said,  that peoples’ participation in realizing the clean city dream, plays a vital role. “The corporation will ensure it does it’s best to cleanse coastal city”, she asserted.