Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady

Beltangady, Mar 24: In a bid to curb pollution caused by dumping waste into the river, Navoor gram panchayat in Beltangady taluk has come up with a novel measure. A signboard installed near the river warns that those found dumping waste will be fined Rs 5,000, while those who provide information leading to the identification of offenders will be rewarded with Rs 1,000.

Used plastic items, paper plates, plastic bags, bottles, tumblers, liquor bottles, diapers, and even hair waste from salons are being filled into sacks and dumped into the river beneath the Kaikamba bridge. Villagers had earlier brought this issue to the notice of the panchayat. Acting on this, Navoor gram panchayat has now installed a signboard near the bridge and issued a public notice.

The panchayat has announced that anyone who identifies individuals dumping waste in public places within its jurisdiction and provides evidence will be given a reward of Rs 1,000. The identity of the informant will be kept confidential, and a fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed on those found dumping waste, as stated on the signboard.

As waste dumping mostly takes place at night, identifying the offenders has been difficult. Hence, villagers have demanded the installation of CCTV cameras at such locations.