The Ananthapuram Municipal Corporation (AMC) has come under fire for its epic failure in waste management, environment protection, plastic ban, and tree protection. Nine months ago, the government announced a ban on single-use plastics, but the AMC has failed miserably in its implementation due to a lack of commitment and intent.
Single-use plastics are available everywhere, and their rampant use has resulted in clogging of almost all the town’s drainages, creating a major problem for sanitation workers. This has directly led to the death of several cows due to the consumption of plastic. The main dumpyard, where there is a legacy waste of close to 3 lakh tonnes and 9 tonnes of plastic are added every day, is where the plastic is burnt, further polluting the environment. Municipal authorities have done little apart from conducting dummy rallies and raids.
The fact that the AMC has not even collected 1/10th of the penalties collected by neighboring municipal corporations like Kadapa shows how miserable their failure is. Though the town lost close to 800 trees in road expansion, nothing has been done to compensate for the loss of green coverage.
The concerned environmental officers of the municipality have been in a coma as far as action on environmental protection is concerned, as have the several commissioners in the past four years. Despite hundreds of complaints to implement the ban, the AMC seems to be least bothered about implementing it, for reasons best known to them.
The failure of the AMC in implementing the plastic ban has created severe environmental problems for the town. With the plastic choking up the drainage system, the streets have become waterlogged, leading to several health issues. Sanitation workers are struggling to manage the waste, which is not only a health hazard but also leads to the death of animals who consume the plastic.
The burning of plastic in the main dumpyard has further worsened the pollution levels, and the legacy waste of close to 3 lakh tonnes has been growing with every passing day. The failure of the AMC to collect the penalties for violating the plastic ban is a testament to their lack of commitment to the environment.
The loss of close to 800 trees during the road expansion has further worsened the environmental situation in the town. Though there have been promises to plant more trees to compensate for the loss, nothing has been done so far. The lack of green coverage in the town has led to a rise in temperatures, making it difficult for the residents to cope with the heat.
The concerned environmental officers of the municipality have been turning a blind eye to the issues, and the several commissioners who have come and gone have done nothing to address the problems. Despite the numerous complaints and demands from the residents, the AMC has failed to take any concrete steps to address the issues.
The failure of the AMC in implementing the plastic ban, waste management, environment protection, and tree protection is a matter of grave concern. The residents of Ananthapuram deserve a clean and healthy environment to live in, and it is the responsibility of the AMC to ensure that. The lack of commitment and intent on the part of the authorities is unacceptable, and they must take immediate action to address the issues.
In conclusion, the AMC must take immediate steps to address the waste management, environmental protection, plastic ban, and tree protection issues in Ananthapuram. They must show commitment and intent towards creating a clean and healthy environment for the residents. The authorities must work with the concerned environmental officers to implement the plastic ban effectively and take steps to manage the waste and protect the trees. Only then can Ananthapuram become a healthy and sustainable town for its residents.
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