An Idle Plot is the Devil’s Dump Yard, Vacant Plots Can Turn into One
“Thank you, RWA for getting this dump yard cleaned”, are the words spoken by Shreen Vardhan Sharma who has been sick and tired of this vacant plot adjacent to her house in G Block. The
RWA gets this plot cleaned but it starts collecting garbage again. It seems that a clean vacant plot is like a magnetic charm for unwanted garbage and filth. No civic agency will be able to keep a place clean unless supported by the residents.
Sector 41 is one of the oldest and biggest in Noida. It is more or less fully occupied, yet one comes across a few vacant plots here and there. One such plot is in G Block. It looks clean and clear with a little garbage heap sometime. It is even used for parking cars sometimes. The lack of parking space in our Sector can put this vacant plot to good use. But these plots get covered with wild growth and heaps of garbage keep on piling here. People throw waste with abject disregard for the health of those living nearby. Garbage pollution is the main cause of various bacterial diseases and gastro is one of them. Moreover, typhoid, malaria and various infectious diseases are also caused by it. Mosquitoes and other insects are amass in places where there are piles of garbage and ultimately spread various diseases in the area. In addition to insects, all sorts of rodents and reptiles find it a flourishing ground. The leftover thrown food attracts strays here, much to the chagrin of immediate neighbours.
To make matters worse, the drivers and other service providers in the vicinity start using these plots as urinals and the stink emanates is unbearable for neighbours. Even as Swacch Bharat making news all over, the goal of eliminating open defecation or urinating in public spaces is still a tough challenge.
Once a vacant plot turns into a garbage dumping yard it becomes difficult to clear it. The RWA keeps on clearing garbage heaps from these vacant plots but filth finds its way again as it is difficult to prevent people from dumping.
Let our Sector not fall into that vicious circle. The vacant plots in our Sector can find much better usage. These can be fenced and converted into green spots by planting flowering plants. Even growing vegetables is a good idea. A few plots have been adopted similarly in other Sectors. To make this possible, the residents, RWA, and Authority will need to come together.
