Chandigarh should adopt vermicomposting: Ecologist

Do you think these harmful effects of exotic trees should be considered by environmentalists and action be taken in this regard?

I’m a propagator of indigenous trees. It is debatable whether we should retain exotic trees or change them. They have been there for more than 53 years, so why should we now call them ‘unwanted’. Our bodies must be used to these by now. But, it could be a problem for the new population. I suggest that whatsoever new plantation we do, it should be of indigenous trees. Let them dominate over exotic ones. In Chandigarh, roads are identified by trees, and we should not change this character.

Many of these invasive exotic species are taking over natural areas and hampering natural vegetation. Has any government body taken up this issue?

Yes. The UT Administration had started a Parthenium eradication programme in the 1980s. Parthenium is a weed of the urban unattended land. It overpowered the local grass, leading to fodder famine because cattle do not feed on exotic plants. Zygogramma bicolorata, which is a species of beetle, was brought from Mexico to Bangalore to eat away Parthenium. This beetle was also brought to Chandigarh for the same purpose. But I objected as this beetle starts eating other plants and crops, like the Lantana bug which became a problem in Nainital.

Which, according to you, are the most favourable indigenous trees?

Acacia (amaltas), Arjun, jackfruit. In fact, most indigenous trees are good. But people have a tendency to consider exotic species to be good. Chandigarh has another distinct feature. There is bougainvillea on road dividers. It is ornamental, insects do not eat it, it forms a bio-wedge, leaves start from the ground level, has flowers of different colours, and it grows at a height where it absorbs exhaust of vehicles. This is a good plan for an urban road divide.

What is your opinion of the increasing motorisation rate in Chandigarh due to a pro-car urban design, as indicated by a study done by a Delhi-based environment research institute?

We keep weeping over air pollution, but there is no bar on the number of cars that are produced. The population density of Chandigarh is also among the highest in the country, close to Delhi.

Is that a sign of danger?

Yes. More people, more pollution, more problems. But the pollution load in Chandigarh is lower as compared to any other city due to the management of its green cover. This is the beauty of the city. You will find plants in most of its households. In spite of the city being land-locked, having no agricultural activities, and being dependent on nearby villages for food, it is one of the good cities.

What do you think the green cover of Chandigarh will be like in the future?

I think there will not be much change. There is a national character to the city, there are rules and regulations. For example, the New Chandigarh coming up near Mullanpur has been declared as a low population density area, with 200 people per square km, compared to over 9,252 people per square km in Chandigarh. The population load of Chandigarh will be shared by New Chandigarh, like it is in Delhi. New Chandigarh will also have more trees.

There is also a problem of burning of fall leaves in the city. What do you have to say about this?

The law does not allow burning of leaves. But people still do it, and it is a hazard. So, where to take these dry leaves? Vermicomposting reaps rich manure. It is difficult on a large scale, but can be done on a small scale in households, institutions, colleges, hospitals and hotels. The government is looking for options where these leaves can be sent to a factory where briquette are formed, which are sent for burning. So, that type of a plant came up in Mullanpur. Panjab University (PU) had one such plant in 2003, when Neeru Nanda was UT Adviser. As long as she was here, every hostel at PU had its own vermicompost plant, where kitchen waste would be processed every day. With her transfer, it all stopped.

So, you believe that vermicomposting is the best way to manage waste in the city?

Yes. But things like onion, lemon, milk and cooked food cannot undergo vermicomposting. They can be sent to a briquette plant. It is ironical that we buy manure from the market when it is freely available in Nature. The problem is that we tend to take a path of least assertion. Nobody wants to make an effort to recycle waste. Chandigarh has educated citizens, there is lot of energy in the youth here, they have ideas, if they do it, they will get lot of visibility and appreciation. But, nobody does it.

How can the problem of air pollution due to burning of paddy stubble in the region be addressed ?

When farmers burn agricultural waste, air pollution is only one aspect. Soil becomes compact, thereby killing microbes and weeds. The solution is to plough it along with the stubble, flow water, and let it stay for sometime, which was called fallowing in old times. We started such intensive agriculture that we killed our pests. We need our friendly insects. Root aeration is needed. If farmers know the damage, they will not do it.

There has been unprecedented depletion of agricultural cover in the region. Farmers are selling land, and real estate markets are coming up.

Nobody is interested in providing crop insurance to farmers. When we talk about problems, we talk about marginal farmers, but our policies cater to big farmers. Small farmers are upset, frustrated, so they prefer to sell their land.