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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Bengaluru's waste crisis sparks call for decentralised action
Bengaluru: The tech capital, once hailed for its clean streets and salubrious climate, is now struggling under the weight of mounting garbage. As new municipal solid waste rules draw closer, experts are calling for immediate reforms and a shift toward decentralised waste management. Speaking at a panel discussion on the topic 'Reimagining Urban Futures', organised by AndPurpose Forum recently, Saahas Zero Waste founder Wilma Rodrigues reflected on the cleaner and greener Bengaluru of the past. "In 1995, the city offered so much — pleasant weather, ample water, and cleaner streets. It gave generously to its citizens. Today, I feel people have failed to give back," she said. Rodrigues pointed out the principles introduced in the 2000 Solid Waste Management Rules remain relevant even today. "Segregate your waste, compost at home, aim for a zero-waste lifestyle — these aren't new ideas. But here we are, on the cusp of the 2025 rules, and we haven't even enforced what was outlined 25 years ago," she said, expressing concern about the city's readiness for the upcoming regulations. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Nalini Shekar, founder of Hasiru Dala, voiced disappointment over Bengaluru being ranked the fifth dirtiest city in a recent survey. "It's disheartening, especially after years of work in this space. Decentralised waste management is the solution. Every ward should function like a self-contained city — that would make governance and implementation much more effective," she said. Highlighting the private sector's efforts, Aiyappa Somayanda, chief business officer at Brigade REAP, noted that while waste-conscious planning is increasingly being factored in at the design stage of developments, there's still a considerable gap. "We should be far ahead of where we are now," he observed. Climate action plan Offering a more hopeful perspective, Akshatha, city adviser for Inclusive Climate Action, Bengaluru (C40 Cities), pointed out that the city has taken steps toward sustainability, despite challenges. "Bengaluru has adopted a climate action plan, even though it's not a statutory mandate. With more than 200 action tracks across seven sectors, it signals a strong intent from the city to act," she said. As the new solid waste management-related rules are likely to come into effect starting this Oct, experts emphasised that the city should embrace decentralisation and prioritise the enforcement of long-standing waste management principles to reclaim its lost civic pride.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Bengaluru hosts leaders' meet for a sustainable future
A diverse mix of investors, corporates, sustainability-focused CSR and ESG leads, social entrepreneurs and ecosystem enablers came together at a gathering held in Bengaluru hosted by AndPurpose to address the challenges from climate adaptation and water scarcity to financing the green transition and scaling social innovation. Held as part of a national series, the forum featured panels, fireside chats, and showcases on unlocking capital for systemic change, sustainable urban infrastructure designs and using deeptech and AI for innovation to build resilience and equity. The event saw leaders from organisations including Intel, PwC, SAP, Shell, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, Villgro, Schoolnet India Limited and Saahas Zero Waste among others. The gathering which featured 15 speakers brought together more than 150 attendees. Aruna Newton, ESG & DEI Head, Infosys, who was part of the event, noted that the company's vision is to continue earning the respect of our stakeholders by deeply embedding sustainability into every aspect of the business. 'At Infosys, integrating sustainability into our thinking goes beyond isolated actions, it shapes the way we see the larger picture and create lasting value.' The AndPurpose Forum – Bengaluru Edition is part of a broader series of regional forums hosted in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, culminating in the flagship AndPurpose Summit in April 2026 in New Delhi. These gatherings aim to catalyse real change by building an ecosystem where conversations lead to measurable outcomes.
