When we tell people about home composting as part of Swacch Parle Abhiyaan, we tell them to start first with composting of floral offerings (nirmalya). 2- 3 times I was told about larger scale nirmalya composting happening at Airport Colony across the main suburb of Vile Parle East, done by one determined person. This was something! I had to find out who this person is and what is happening!
After careful questioning of a number of flower sellers and particular coconut vendors, I was told that our good Samaritan is owner of a reputed shop in the market. Somehow everytime I went to the shop, he wasn’t there- but identity was confirmed. And one day we met ‘the person’. Mr S is a simple, senior citizen with a heart of Gold and passion for the environment. For the last several years, he has been a regular for morning walks at the AIRPORT COLONY. In his soft and modest way, he told us that he has come to regard the AIRPORT COLONY with great affection and gratitude and also some amount of wonder. That in the midst of a crowded city next to the busy Western Express Highway is a place which is peaceful, pure and provides peace of mind to so many morning walkers, so many of whom are Parlekars. So he decided to show his gratitude by planting trees in the AIRPORT COLONY. He has planted more than 100 trees of different indigenous varieties there. Seeing his zeal, one local person provided him with facility to access water so that he could take proper care of the saplings there.
Soon, Mr G realised that plants also need good manure. He taught a number of flower sellers and coconut vendors from Parle to sort and keep aside their wastes in a gunny. This he would buy from them for a nominal amount and take to AIRPORT COLONY during his walks. He used this material to make compost on site for the 100 trees he planted. This way he facilitated good use of almost 10 sacks of waste per day. Seeing his work, many morning walkers joined him. Helped him in planting, providing saplings, transport of gunny sacks and taking care of plants.
Unfortunately, Mr S had to suspend his activities as some residents of the colony did not take kindly to his activities. But he is not at all bitter about it. His plants are there and they are big enough to take care of themselves. In addition, one person in Parle East has now offered the premises of his bungalow to care out his activities. Associates from SPA who visited this bungalow say the project is really going well. Nirmalya and coconut waste are deposited in pits where microbes and worms do the work. Many pits are used in circulation. Mr S is joined by Mr J in his work here. Mr J is a full time consultant engineer trained at IIT and finds time to do this work inspite of his busy schedule. He has given the concept that waste management project should also look attractive so that people are impressed and join in it. So they have made a fabulous garden around the bungalow. And in Parle itself there are plants giving large variety of flowers, fruits, birds, butterflies- and of course very cool, clean air and beauty to the bungalow.
HATS OFF TO THEM! They are determined to increase the scope of their activities. Mr S says he has decided to give as much time as required for this task- he really believes in serving nature.
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