Bangalore’s old markets taught to clean up their act

by Anindita Sengupta

WHAT’S HAPPENING

One of the oldest markets in Bangalore, Russell Market, was recently part of an intensive clean-up drive. The municipal corporation and the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT) organisation educated vendors on waste segregation (CitizenMatters.in, 30 November 2010).
Built in 1927 Russell Market is one of the most crowded and famous markets in the city known for its varieties of meat and seafood. But its vibrance is adversely affected by poor hygiene standards.
In a similar effort at another market, vendors were taught source segregation. Waste was collected in separate bags and they were paid Rs 2 per kg of waste as incentive. The entire process has been documented and made into a film which was screened in the market space.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS

With the onslaught of malls, older marketplaces have suffered because of comparatively poor hygiene. If cleanliness in these areas improves, more consumers may return to patronizing them.
Realising the importance of waste management at the grassrootslevel, environmental groups are targeting specific localities and groups of people with awareness drives. This could lead to small pockets of awareness having a ripple effect.

RESOURCES

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