This is an inspiring story of how an vacant school plot in H block was conceptualized and converted into a kitchen garden with organic vegetation.
The back ground to this success was a vacant plot which was a dump yard with foul smell and a sort of dustbin for scrap items which used to smell bad and was this route/passage was avoided by residents. Due to water logging there was always abundance of mosquitoes flourishing. The RWA took initiative, the idea to transform this vacant space was discussed in our RWA meeting and requested Rakhi Jha – an environmentalist ( resident of H-15) to use this plot for organic farming under her expert guidance . She accepted the request and with support from the RWA, the barren land was cleared of from all unwanted debris and a cultivating tractor was used to plough the soil on entire plot.
Once the plot was cleaned, different beds of organic seeds were planted in a homogeneous manner.
Now the place looks beautiful and the green patch is a sheer pleasure to look at. There are plans to develop sitting arrangements so that residents can enjoy the greenery and breathe clean air. We expect residents to visit the place and get motivated to replicate this at more places
Samvada Adds: The RWA consistently tries to keep the Sector clean. The executive members are being appreciated for their efforts for cleanliness. But what happens to the plots which are owned by people but left as garbage spots? Such plots appear as a blot to a posh Sector. The owners sometimes do not pay any heed to repeated requests made by immediate neighbours. Such vacant plots are covered with wild growth and heaps of garbage keeps on piling here. People throw waste with abject disregard for the health of those living nearby. Mosquitoes and other insects 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, much to the chagrin of immediate neighbours. The Authority, the RWA or the neighbours can get it cleaned once but the garbage soon finds its way. The solution to put a stop to the plot again getting converted into dumping yard is to either fencing it with a wooden enclosure or convert it into a green spot by planting flowering plants – which has been done by the RWA. The other vacant plots can also be converted in a similar manner. The residents living near these vacant plots may take the initiative.
by Gunjan Bhatia (C-79)
