Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 26: The biomining process of the legacy waste piled up in the Pacchanady Mandara area of Mangaluru has been progressing at a sluggish pace. Over the past three years, only about 18 percent of the estimated 9 lac tonnes of waste has been processed. At this rate, it will take another 13 years to complete the entire waste clearance.
For decades, Mangaluru and its surrounding regions have been dumping all kinds of waste at the Pacchanady site, creating a massive garbage mountain. Six years ago, during the heavy rains of August 2019, a portion of this waste heap collapsed, sliding into the Mandara area and affecting nearly 2 km of land. The incident caused widespread panic and outrage, leaving the area completely engulfed in waste.
It was later estimated that around 9 lac tonnes of waste had accumulated in the Pacchanady dump yard. Various options were explored to deal with the situation, and it was finally decided that the waste would be cleared through the biomining process. Accordingly, operations began three years ago.
As per the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for legacy waste management, a detailed project report was prepared and approved. Following this, tenders were called, and the work order was issued in April 2022. The process aimed to clear the massive waste mound within a reasonable timeframe through biomining.
However, after nearly three years of operation, the results have been meagre. So far, only 1,68,354 tonnes of waste have been processed — an average of just 56,000 tonnes per year. In comparison to the total waste volume, this progress is being likened to ‘digging a mountain and finding a mouse’.
The coastal region’s monsoon weather has further hampered progress. The high moisture content in the waste during the rainy season makes biomining nearly impossible. Consequently, operations have to be halted every monsoon.
This year too, the work was temporarily suspended for the past few months and was expected to resume by October. However, continued rainfall has once again delayed the restart. Biomining can resume only after the rains subside and the moisture content in the waste reduces through natural evaporation.
Biomining is an eco-friendly method used to process and reduce legacy waste mounds accumulated in dumping yards. The process involves segregating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. Organic waste is converted into compost, while non-degradable materials are either recycled or safely disposed of. The recovered soil and sand are also treated and made suitable for reuse.
Environmentalists and concerned citizens have expressed disappointment over the slow progress, emphasizing that waiting another 13 years to clear the legacy waste is impractical. They have urged authorities to either enhance the existing biomining setup with additional equipment to accelerate the process or explore alternative technologies that can ensure faster waste disposal.
If timely and effective measures are not taken, Pacchanady may continue to remain an eyesore and an environmental hazard for another decade.