HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT OR LITTER: CHOICE IS YOURS!

The lush green grass and beautiful open spaces…this is the story presented by every living society these days. And in the beginning, it is true up to all extents!

(The quintessential view at Sushma Grande)

However, with the passage of time, start appearing those filthy piles of litter, scattered here and there. While not only these hamper the look of your housing societies, these do lot harm to the health of residents living there, including you and your family!

But who is responsible for it?

Look at the mirror and it will reveal the truth about who is responsible for it.

Let’s turn a dream into reality….

Gandhiji’s love for Cleanliness and Sanitation made Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch a ‘Clean India Campaign’ with Cleanliness and Sanitation as its pillar. It is our responsibility to lead the campaign and celebrate Gandhiji’s 150^th Birthday anniversary gifting him a ‘Clean and Green India’.The home-work starts with where you reside.

LITT-ER gets huge from LITT-LE

The only cause and cure for litter is ‘YOU’. Clean air, water and food are fundamental rights of a human being. This right can be fulfilled by maintaining a clear and healthy environment.

Smoking and spitting has been made socially unacceptable but littering hasn’t been stigmatized yet. Majority of people identify litter as a major environmental problem, and yet they litter.

Littering at unauthorized spot causes threat to the health of residents as it becomes a home to infectious bacteria. Once the litter reaches the ground, it creates a snowball effect, inviting more and more litter. Litter is not only the source of bad odor; it also affects the beauty of the community.

It is responsibility of residents to keep the society as clean as their home. People living in cleaner and greener areas have much better mental and physical health than those living in areas with litter problem.

An Example set today will be tomorrow’s virtue

Just as Charity begins at home, Sanitation and Cleanliness starts with ‘YOU’ and ‘ME’. The arrogance and ignorance in our attitude stimulates us to litter, imagining it as a duty of someone else to clear our mess.

But as Gandhiji said “Everyone must be his own scavenger”, it is your responsibility to not to litter in your society or on roads. Be a role model for other residents by using designated waste-bins to dispose off your litter, it will help in keeping the society clean.

The basic principle of solid waste management lies in 4Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Segregate the litter at the source by using different bins for organic or biodegradable solid waste and inorganic or non-biodegradable solid waste.

Litter is an enemy that can be fought with a weapon of ‘Education’.Spread the word to others and teach them to dispose of garbage in the right manner. People feel proud by participating in community clean ups and maintaining a healthy look of the society.

(VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej22NMueDoE )

Set an example like Japan has set for others, who recycles 77% of its waste. Litter can be conquered and ‘WE’ all can make a difference.

Love your pets but love your responsibility too

The fundamental duty mentioned in Article 51A (g) of the constitution states thatit is our duty to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures. You are benevolent to your pets but do you have same feelings for environment?

Being a pet owner, it is your moral duty to keep the dog waste off the ground, thereby developing a good relationship with environment and your fellow residents. Dog waste is a house to many worms, bacteria and parasites that can be transferred directly to humans, making them sick. Roundworm, for example, is one of the most common parasites found in dog waste and it can remain infectious in contaminated soil and water for years.

Just as you potty train your children; also teach your dog about the same. This is the best way to curb this problem. As a responsible resident, you have to be a ‘Pooper Scooper’. Keep the pets on leash while on road and carry a bag with you to take the pet’s faeces and dispose it effectively. Bury the waste and let it decompose to natural compost.

Don’t be a kid, instead teach your kids

Snack wrappers, plastic wrap, juice boxes and straws are common litter being picked up from playground every day. The education given to kids at home can never be compared to one given at schools.

You have an opportunity to shape the minds of these little humans. Be a good teacher and shape their values and behaviors. Explain them the consequences of deliberately dropping litter in playgrounds.

Don’t just be a dad, be a super dad.

Bring the change you wish to see in others. Take an initiative, gather your fellow residents and work on waste management techniques of your society. Start a hashtag (#) campaign in your society. Take pledge- #HateTheWaste and see the dream of father of our nation turning into reality.

Inner changes create outer changes.