GKUP Group
Environmental Concerns: Pollution, illegal dumping, or inadequate waste management
As residents of Sri Lanka, we all play a role in maintaining a healthy environment for every living creature in our region. Today, I want to address several issues related to our local area, particularly focusing on poor city trash management. Having lived in Mahanuwara City (Kandy) for over four decades, I’ve witnessed and experienced the challenges of urban living. Whether we’re government employees or private citizens, it’s our collective responsibility to work together peacefully. Let’s set aside titles like ‘Governor’ or ‘Leader’ and recognize that we all share this village, city, country and this earth, and this. Trash management and environmental cleanliness go hand in hand, and it’s crucial to address these issues through collaborative efforts, awareness campaigns, and stricter waste management regulations. Additionally, safeguarding the Mahaweli River, the longest river in our country, is essential for both environmental sustainability and public health.
Let’s start from Mahanuwara-Kandy: Kandy, also known as Mahanuwara in Sinhala, is a major city in Sri Lanka, located in the Central Province. It was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. The city is situated amidst hills in the Kandy plateau, which spans an area of tropical plantations, primarily tea. Kandy serves as both an administrative and religious city and is the capital of the Central Province. One of its most significant landmarks is the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), which is one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. The temple houses the relic of the Buddha’s tooth and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Kandy attracts numerous visitors due to its rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and historical significance. Here are some reasons why Kandy is a popular destination: which I am not going further to explain one by one. Anyone can imagine why managing waste effectively in a city like Kandy is crucial for maintaining cleanliness, environmental health, and the well-being of its residents. We have lived for a longer period in Mahanuwara-Kandy itself as students in famous Kandy schools and colleges. We lived there, as for the Vision and Mission of the Kandy Municipal Council, we don’t know who the founder is, but it clearly reflects the needs of our own people and our commitment to enriching our heritage. Living in Mahanuwara-Kandy, we witness firsthand how attractive our city is and how kind and honest the people in the area are. The KMC’s Vision and Mission align with these values.
Vision
“An attractive city that leads through good governance enriching heritage”
Mission
Our mission is to provide and manage all the public utility services, thoroughfares and other welfare activities, ensuring welfare and good health of the people living within the Municipal limits and of those visiting the city daily in protecting historical and natural beauty of the World Heritage city by using the physical, financial and human resources available to the council efficiently and effectively by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Municipal Councils’ Ordinance and other Numerous Acts with much dedication and motivation.
As the author of these articles and a former member of the Commercial Grid Team, I served as Secretary, dedicating my free time to JICA’s collaborative public team, working closely with KMC and local authorities to formulate the Greater Kandy Urban Plan (GKUP). My commitment and goals are focused on fulfilling the second line of the KMC mission. In this paper, I will address critical issues, propose practical project suggestions, outline necessary personnel, and explore international approaches to managing the trash crisis. My overarching goal is to safeguard the welfare and good health of both residents living within municipal limits and visitors to our beautiful World Heritage city. Additionally, I am dedicated to preserving the historical and natural splendor that defines our beloved city here are some strategic steps for more effective waste management:
Sincerely, waste management in Kandy, like many other cities worldwide, faces several challenges. Let’s explore some of the key issues. All findings related to the Municipality can be true, or if they have currently been fixed, the relevant officers can ignore them and focus on the most relevant and latest issues.
Image: The accumulation of trash until the next morning in some places, from approximately 6 PM to early morning, due to tight garbage handling operations can indeed have significant consequences for the atmosphere and pedestrians in Kandy City. The impact may include air pollution, which affects the health and well-being of residents.
Inadequate Infrastructure:
Poor Waste Segregation:
Lack of Public Awareness:
Uncontrolled Dumpsites:
Health and Environmental Impact:
Visual and Olfactory Effects:
Limited Resources and Funding:
Population Growth and Urbanization:
Behavioral Change:
Collaboration and Governance:
Addressing these above challenges requires a holistic approach, involving infrastructure development, education, policy enforcement, and community participation. Kandy can work toward sustainable waste management by prioritizing these aspects.
Remember that waste management is a collective effort involving residents, local authorities, and businesses. By implementing these strategies, Kandy can improve its waste management practices and create a cleaner, healthier environment for all.
Let’s go back to JICA and GKUP. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has played a significant role in supporting waste management and urban development in Kandy over the past years in Sri Lanka. Here are some key initiatives that have been implemented:
Kandy New Wastewater Management System:
Greater Kandy Urban Plan (GKUP):
Solid Waste Management Master Plan:
These collaborative efforts between JICA and local authorities demonstrate a commitment to sustainable waste management and city development in Kandy. Frankly, further evolution on the above subject is limited due to a lack of relevant knowledge and resourceful data from authority and public papers and articles.
Let’s jump to our target area, Lewella, where I have faced challenging times while discussing and addressing the current day-to-day issues. I have lodged numerous complaints regarding the area’s trash management sector, including the frontline employees responsible for daily trash collection. My long-term efforts aim to uplift people’s quality of life and find the right solutions to safeguard our county’s natural environment.
Where we live: Lewella, a village and northeastern suburb of Kandy in the Central Province, Sri Lanka, is situated along the banks of the Mahaweli River.
Here are some key details: It appears that my concern is related to a community with nearly 5,000 residents.
Trash Dumping: Improper waste disposal poses a significant challenge to the Mahaweli River.
A few Unorganized and Unofficially directed trash collection areas are igniting fires after manual trash segregation. These areas contain all types of trash, and the resulting burning releases smoky emissions that affect nearby main roads and the riverside. The open fires pose a threat to the riverside environment, and the residual waste left over after several days of burning eventually washes into the Mahaweli River, affecting different climate conditions such as the effect of wind and rain
Challenges Facing Mahaweli River:
Water Pollution: Solid waste dumped into the river affects water quality and ecosystems.
Environmental Impact: Open dumping sites near the river contribute to pollution and harm aquatic life.
Health Risks: Polluted water can lead to health issues for communities downstream.
Life and Traffic issues: A few very narrow junctions are used for daily trash collection and burning activities. This has an impact on the lives and nearby properties, resulting in a very smoky environment. Burning trash poses serious health risks to both people directly exposed to the smoke and the environment. It can lead to respiratory issues, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term health problems. Proper waste management and recycling are crucial to mitigate these harmful effects. The road adjacent to the burning activity sites is approximately fifty meters from both the beginning and ending of Wagolla Road.
The issue of waste mismanagement in the Lewella area of Kandy is a pressing concern. Here are some observations and challenges related to waste management in that locality:
Improper Collection and Disposal:
Lack of Segregation at Source:
Illegal Dumping and Littering:
Insufficient Awareness Programs:
Inadequate Infrastructure:
Environmental and Impact:
Current Health Risks:
Lack Of: Staff, Equipment, Motor and Non-Motorized Equipment,
Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort between municipal authorities, residents, and relevant stakeholders. By implementing better waste management practices, the Lewella area can improve its environmental conditions and overall quality of life.
Lack of Occupational health and Safety Issues:
Ensuring the safety of municipal workers is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive community. These dedicated individuals play a vital role in keeping our cities and villages clean, safe, and functional. Municipalities should prioritize worker health and safety.
What do we have to do to reach the goal of proper trash management in the area? Here are some observations and potential solutions. It can be practical or manageable.
Door-to-Door Collection:
Recycling Programs:
Composting:
Landfill Management:
Public Awareness:
Community Engagement:
Collaboration with Businesses and Tourism Industry in the area and beyond:
Collaboration with NGOs and Civic Groups:
Strategic Bin Placement:
Regular Clean-Up Drives:
Public Art and Beautification:
Increased Surveillance and Enforcement:
Enforcement and Penalties:
Innovative Solutions:
Reporting Mechanism:
Monitoring and Evaluation:
Conclusion:
In conclusion, tackling the challenges of waste management necessitates a joint endeavor involving municipal authorities, residents, and other stakeholders. By adopting more effective waste management practices, the Mahanuwara- Kandy City, Lewella area can enhance its environmental conditions and elevate the overall quality of life.
By Palitha Ariyarathna
Writer, Journalist, Author Publisher
Dip.HRM,CC.Dip, HMT, Marine Science ,SRM,PADI Advance Open Water Diver, Sky Diving, RLLS UK Rescue Craft and Boat Handling and Life Saving, CPR/AED/Emergency First Responder, Air Way Management RLLS UK, Fire and Water Safety, Former Beach Filed Officer and Life Safety Officer