
Women cycle miles to curb plastic pollution
2
Ranchi: A group of women, all members of self-help groups (SHGs) in two panchayats of Ormanjhi block on the outskirts of Ranchi district, pedal several kilometres every day to collect dry and plastic waste from at least 700-800 households in nine villages.
They transport it to waste segregation centres with the sole goal of stopping the plastic pollution menace in their villages.
The women brigade, roped in for waste collection by the Swachh Bharat Mission, Grameen (SBM-G) under the state drinking water and sanitation department, collects plastic bottles, papers, glass, metals, and other dry waste from the households. After segregating the waste at sheds, they sell the waste to a material recovery facility (MRF) set up in the Barwe panchayat of Ormanjhi.
The SHG members, who did not have any sustainable source of income, are now earning a modest sum by selling the waste, along with promoting cleanliness in the villages.
Poornima Devi, a Safai Mitra from Dahu village, said that she visits approximately 250–300 households each day, collecting 20–30 kg of dry waste. "I drive my tricycle-rickshaw across a 9.2 km route every day, ensuring the collected waste reaches the Barwe panchayat collection centre for further processing.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Soluções confiáveis para centros de dados IA
Siemens Energy
Read More
Undo
I earn Rs 2,000-3,000 per week by selling the waste at the MRF," she added.
In nine villages, eight women, Safai Mitras, are associated with household waste collection.
The recovery facility was set up under the CSR activity of a private bank and the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) in partnership with the Ranchi district rural development authority (DRDA), the drinking water and sanitation department, and SBM-G.
The MRF, operational since October last year, has collected over 100 tonnes of dry and plastic waste to date.
Anjali Kumari, in charge of the facility, told TOI that their village has witnessed a visible transformation since the facility was set up. "Earlier, garbage piles could be found everywhere in the village, creating an unpleasant environment. But now all village roads are free of waste materials, and villagers have also been sensitised about plastic disposal," Anjali added.
The initiative, mostly dominated by women, has prevented plastic waste from mixing with landfills and the burning of plastics, which pollutes the environment. Subeer Ranjan, project officer of CEE, who collaborates with the Jharkhand govt to run the MRF, said that efforts are underway to start a similar initiative across 39 panchayats and 120 villages of Ormanjhi and Angara blocks and nearby panchayats of Kanke block.
Azad Hussain, state consultant of SBM-G, Jharkhand, said that three state departments — rural development, Panchayati Raj department, and the drinking water and sanitation department — are promoting cleanliness in the rural areas across the state. He added that the MRF centre in Ormanjhi is the biggest in the state, and such centres have been established across the state to curb the menace of plastic and other pollution.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Say No-Cheese! Eateries Rise To Allergy Challenge
New Delhi: One busy afternoon at Mesa Lodhi, chef Sandeep Namboodiry faced a diner whose list of restrictions would make most chefs panic. She was vegetarian, lactose intolerant, didn't want anything raw, nothing cold, no rice, and no gluten. "In my head I wondered why she'd even want to eat out at a place like ours, where we serve all kinds of animal protein," Namboodiry recalls. Instead of turning her away, he improvised. "I took an avocado, filled it with mildly spiced marinara sauce and plant-based cheese, and baked it. I wasn't sure what to call it, but I went back and presented it, half expecting her to just politely refuse." To his surprise, she loved it. Not only did she finish it, she ordered it again on her next visit — and soon started bringing other guests who had similar dietary restrictions. "Through her, we found an audience that rarely dined out because they couldn't find places willing to accommodate them," says Namboodiry. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi That single moment transformed the restaurant's approach. Mesa Lodhi invested in separate ovens for gluten-free dishes, kept oil vegetarian-only, created sugar-free and plant-based desserts, and trained staff to handle complex dietary needs. This quiet shift is slowly becoming more visible in Delhi, where newer restaurants and chef-driven brands are treating allergies and intolerances not as inconvenient exceptions, but as part of everyday service. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Prettiest Icons In The History The Noodle Box Undo "In the Indian restaurant landscape, awareness around food allergies has grown tremendously over the last few years," says chef and consultant Megha Kohli. At her restaurant Mezze Mambo, allergen awareness starts from training and design. "Our menu includes naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options not by accident, but by design. We also use colour-coded utensils, separate boards and clear labelling to avoid cross-contamination. " At Boya at Malcha Marg, food allergy protocols are woven into daily operations. "Our menu highlights allergens clearly, and staff are trained to proactively ask guests about allergies before an order is placed," says Bhavya Sahu. "We also follow kitchen protocols — separate utensils, clear labelling and regular training — to make sure nothing is left to chance." Transparency is becoming the new standard. "All our menus feature an allergy index and a note encouraging guests to inform the team of allergies not specifically listed," says chef Noah Barnes of Miss Margarita by Arriba. At Ikk Panjab, millet-based rotis are offered as an alternative for those avoiding gluten. "We also pay close attention to our cooking processes and train staff to guide guests through the menu," explains Deepika Sethi. "The goal is a safe and inclusive dining experience." Inclusivity isn't just for premium restaurants. For brands like Wow! Momo, it has become part of their expansion strategy. "We've always seen the momo as more than just a product — it's an emotion rooted in comfort and culture," says Sagar Daryani, co-founder and CEO. "With our new gluten-free range, we are saying indulgence should be for everyone." Yet, making dining safe for everyone isn't easy — or cheap. "Many new outlets are aware, but catering to allergies in totality is challenging," notes a menu consultant. "Separate stations to avoid contamination often mean high investments and larger kitchens, which high city rentals don't allow." Even with strict protocols, says chef Namboodiry, kitchens cannot always promise meals that are 100% allergen-free. "We even source gluten-free products from specialised stores, and use separate ovens and tools, but human error always exists," he says. "It's a risk diners take whenever they eat out." Some older establishments, especially those whose menus rely heavily on dairy and gluten-rich dishes, remain resistant. "They know their butter- and cream-heavy food can never be truly lactose- or gluten-free, so they don't even try," a restaurateur says, requesting anonymity. Yet, across the city, the momentum is building. "In fine dining spaces, especially in restaurants serving seafood, the servers now routinely ask guests if they have allergies," says Sidhant Sharma of Hospitality Xperts. "Healthy concepts like Greenr Café and Whole Foods regularly offer gluten-free and vegan options, proving there is a demand." Behind this evolution is often thoughtful design and detailed training. "We train teams to be extremely careful about lactose and gluten, and make sure there is no cross-contamination," says Sid Mathur of Secret Ingredients, which has consulted for over 300 restaurant projects. "Sensitivity is growing, and chefs today know global standards and substitutes." While dining out is still daunting for anyone with allergies, these new approaches by chefs who learn to cook with better ingredient knowledge mean diners who were once left out can finally find a seat at the table — without fear. At Greenr Cafe, popular dishes such as pizza, pasta, pancakes and smoothie bowls have gluten- and lactose-free options. Made using sundried tomato sauce, oats and millet flour, coconut and almond milk, amaranth muesli, banana cashew creams, these dishes allow diners with food allergies to taste their favourites. According to Nitin Dixit, co-founder of Greenr Cafe, "Due to various lifestyle and environmental factors, we have also observed that food allergies seem to be on the rise amongst our customers. As a cafe serving plant-based foods and striving for transparency, we try to accommodate as many people with food allergies as possible through our menus." However, he regrets that given the risk of micro-allergens entering the dish preparation and the potential for a strong reaction, they now have to refuse service to anyone with severe allergies.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Constructing dams in Kalesar sanctuary will cause irreversible damage, CEC tells SC
Gurgaon: Allowing construction of four dams inside Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yamunanagar is likely to cause "irreversible ecological damage, including the loss of critical habitat" for endangered species, the central empowered committee has recommended to the Supreme Court. CEC's advice to the top court came on a plea filed by lawyer Gaurav Kumar Bansal, who last year challenged Haryana govt's approval for the project despite earlier warnings by experts. "Permission to build the four dams inside the sanctuary should be denied. The interim stay on construction, already in place, should continue. The wildlife clearance given by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) should be withdrawn because it was granted without considering these issues properly," CEC said in its July 9 submission to the top court. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Additionally, it said, Haryana's forest department should prepare an alternative watershed management plan to conserve water and prevent flooding without harming the sanctuary. The issue dates to 2016, when the Haryana govt proposed constructing four medium-sized dams – named Chikkan, Kansli, Ambawali and Khillanwalla -- on seasonal tributaries (called khols), which feed into river Pathrala. In 2019, a report by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and a letter by the state's principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) also warned against construction of the dams, saying that these structures could harm wildlife and would not be useful as the streams on which the project was being planned did not carry water all year-round. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Family Adopted A New 'Dog', But When The Vet Sees It He Calls The Police Undo Despite these warnings, Haryana govt approved the project and preliminary work such as site clearance began in the wildlife sanctuary. The SC bench of justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta in April 2024 issued an interim stay on construction of the four dams and directed CEC to inspect the site to investigate the petitioner's allegations. A five-member team of CEC in Oct 2024 visited the sanctuary and noted that there were already eight earthen dams built by the forest department near the proposed sites for the new dams. These structures, the committee's report signed by member secretary Banumathi G said, are being used by wildlife and blend into the habitat without disrupting it. In conclusion, CEC said, the proposal to build dams on tributaries flowing through the sanctuary will lead to permanent destruction of habitat. The committee also raised legal concerns and said that Haryana govt's proposal was not approved by the State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO) or the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). This approval is mandatory under the Dam Safety Act, 2021. Most importantly, the committee said, the dams are not unavoidable and don't have to be built inside the sanctuary. According to environmental laws, diversion of forest land in protected areas should be allowed only if there is no other option. "The stated objectives of the proposed dams, particularly in relation to irrigation, are not adequately justified, given conflicting data on irrigation dependency and the potential for locating such structures outside the sanctuary… The diversion of forest land for the proposed dams does not meet the threshold of 'unavoidable and site-specific need'," the CEC report said. Asked about the petition and CEC's report, Haryana govt officials said they cannot comment on the issue. "The plan was to construct dams for irrigation in the area. The matter is sub-judice," an irrigation department official said. The petitioner Gaurav Kumar Bansal told TOI that there have been ample warnings about construction of these dams in the sanctuary. "The WII report clearly states that the four dams are not feasible. If these dams are constructed, then around 1 lakh trees will be felled inside the sanctuary. Moreover, no comprehensive ecological mitigation measures have been submitted. The stated dependency on the proposed dams for irrigation purposes has been contradicted by the agriculture department. So, there is no requirement for these dams, especially in a state like Haryana which has the lowest forest cover in the country," Bansal said on Monday. The next date of hearing in the plea is yet to be listed.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Monsoon stalls repair, leaves work on KLIS barrages in limbo
Hyderabad: The Medigadda barrage, along with the Annaram and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), has become unserviceable during this monsoon season. This is due to the state govt's failure to undertake the necessary repairs, as recommended by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), prior to the onset of rains. The Central Designs Organisation (CDO) of the Telangana irrigation department, citing its inability to provide the drawings required for the restoration of the barrages, reportedly asked the engineer-in-chief of the Ramagundam circle, under whose jurisdiction the Kaleshwaram barrages fall, to furnish reports from various investigations recommended by the NDSA. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad However, before this, the engineer-in-chief from Ramagundam had requested the CDO to provide the designs and drawings needed to initiate repair and restoration works at Medigadda and the two other barrages. Despite this apparent deadlock between the two wings of the department, senior officials did not intervene to resolve the issue. A committee constituted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in October 2023, led by J Chandrashekhar Iyer and member secretary Amitabh Meena, investigated the sinking of certain piers in Block 7 of the Medigadda barrage, as well as structural issues in the Annaram and Sundilla barrages. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee pain prices might surprise you Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo The panel submitted a 365-page report, which was received by the Telangana govt in April this year. A senior irrigation official said, "As per the NDSA report, geo-technical and geo-physical investigations are needed to assess the integrity of the upstream and downstream secant pile cut-offs, as well as cavities beneath the raft. Additionally, the condition of the concrete structures and hydro-mechanical components of the barrages must also be assessed." Officials pointed out that these investigations can only be carried out during the summer, when the barrage is empty. With the monsoon season now underway and Medigadda receiving heavy inflows from the Godavari, such work is currently not feasible. All gates are open, allowing water to flow downstream without being diverted.