Need for effective garbage treatment methods

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The absence of effective garbage treatment methods is the bane of Indian cities, according to Sunita Narain, environmentalist, social activist and director, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi.Speaking after inaugurating the 49th State Conference of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad here on Friday, she said that the sewage waste of several cities was dumped into the rivers and other water bodies. Forty percent of the people in this country depended on water bodies contaminated with sewage waste, she said. The projects to reduce pollution are failing owing to wrong development policies not considering the environment and social justice, she said.The rising number of vehicles is contributing to air pollution in a big way. Instead of strengthening the public transport system, the governments pursued policies which lead to the increase in the number of private vehicles. Organisations such as the KSSP should strive to resolve contemporary issues like waste disposal, she said.Former Minister and CPI leader Binoy Viswam opined that it was dangerous for the country to follow the path of commercialisation. “Extreme commercialisation of economies is dangerous. Such economies are ruled by the vedanta of profit which will not help the country’s poor,” he said.  Noted environmentalist M K Prasad released Sunita Narain’s latest book ‘Excreta matters - Citizens’ 7th report on the state of environment in India’ by handing over a copy to Binoy Viswam. Mayor K Chandrika, Andhra Pradesh legislative council member Gopala Subrahmanian, Corporation councillor S Vijayakumar, Manacaud Govt GVHSS headmaster M Sukumaran and PTA president V S Shajahan and reception committee general convener Gopakumar spoke on the occasion.The meeting started off with a welcome song by V K Sasidharan.