KITCHEN GARDENING WORKSHOP

Through Swacch Parle Abhiyan we invited Purvi, Bhavana and Nilima to conduct a 'Organic Kitchen Gardening Workshop' In Parle. We had it yesterday.

It was 4 hours of pure learning of the best sort- The team took us from the basics to the complexities and the philosophy to the benefits of Kitchen Gardening. Why did SPA and I get involved?

Many folks have been resisting composting by giving excuse that 'what to do with the compost?'. So organic gardening is the answer. And some people are motivated for composting through organic gardening. As an environmentalist and doctor- I know that sustainable organic gardening is really good for health and surroundings. So I got personally involved.

It is to the credit of Purvi and her team that they did not charge anything. We took nominal entry fee for meeting expenses. The left over money will be used for other SPA work.

The main points covered were

One must manage waste scientifically to show respect for nature as well as safe guard environment. If we compost at home and use same soil for gardening we get assured results and fresh produce rather than spending for 'organic' labeled material. The garden should be planned based on our needs and how much resources we have.
The team covered the making of amritjal, soil, medicinal plants, pruning, transplanting, sowing, pest control. We will soon make a wa group of all participants so that team can mentor them as practical work gets underway.

We had 87 participants and all were listening with rapt attention till the very end. They have all given very positive feedback. So that now I have calls asking when is the next workshop. But I will refer them to the team headquarters at Kandivli. Here the workshops are held regularly. Better to attend there as it causes minimal disturbance to the trainers' lives plus we get to see many more samples of their work.

Cheers to our team of experts

A box for pins

We do segregate dry and wet waste and a large part of resource recovery is possible due to that. But what about tiny stuff?

Small metal pins, wires and stapler pins come to us in different ways. Technically they should be put in dry waste. Unfortunately the present segregation process is manual. Being very tiny bits, it becomes very difficult to select out the pins and they may not be recovered.

So each of us have to make a box with a small slit at the top (like a piggy bank) and collect the waste pins and metal bits inside it. It will fill only after a decade or so. Meanwhile, it stays with you storing all the pins. When it fills up, we seal the cover to avoid spilling and put it in dry waste.

POINT TO REMEMBER- A similar system will work very well for battery cells

प्रॅक्टिकल पार्लेकर

काही पार्लेकरांना पर्यावरणाची काळजी असते तेवढेच अनेक प्रॅक्टिकल प्रॉब्लेमही येतात. 

बाहेर पडताना पिशवी घेऊन जाणे विसरणे त्यातील एक.  असे नेमके चॅम्पियन समोरच्या भैयाकडे जाताना घडते...सकाळी फिरायला जात असताना घडत नाही.  कारण येताना कुंपणाआड असलेली फुले गोळा करताना मोफत पिशवी हक्काने मागता येत नाही.

घरातली व्यवस्था काम करणाऱ्या बाई किव्वा मामा बघतात. त्यामुळे कचर्‍याचे वर्गीकरण होऊ शकत नाही. त्याना समजावणे फारच कठीण वाटते. तरी हेच लोक साहेबांना जूस आणि मनूसाठी पापलेट कसा आवडतो हे शिकू शकतात. नवल नाही का?

पार्ल्यात जागेची टंचाई आणि महागाई.  मग दोन डब्यांचा खर्च करणार कसा? दोन डबे ठेवणार कुठे? पण कार ही जीवनावश्यक वस्तू असल्याने कर्ज काढून ...जागा करून प्रत्येकासाठी एक नग असते.

वास येतो. अस्वच्छता. उंदीर- घुशी येतील म्हणून आपल्या आवारात खत प्रकल्प नको. पण रोज आंघोळ न करून डियोडेरंट वापरणे. रस्त्यावर बिचार्‍या पक्षी प्राण्यांना शेव बिस्किटे चारा देणे. आणि दिसेल त्या पिंपळाजवल निर्माल्य टाकणे याला पर्याय नाही असे वाटते.

असे प्रॅक्टिकल पार्लेकर असल्याने कचरा व्यवस्थापन रखडणार नाही तर काय?

कमीत कमी एवढे करावे

पालिके कडून पार्लेकरांना प्रतिसाद न मिळाल्याने स्वच्छ पार्ले अभियान बंद करायचे का?
अजिबात नाही.  कचर्‍याचे वर्गीकरण केलेच पाहिजे.  पालिकेच्या नेहमी येणाऱ्या घंटा गाडी ला फक्त निरुपयोगी कचरा द्या.  ओला कचरा आपआपल्या घरी कंपोस्ट करा. अगदीच पर्याय नसेल तरच ओला कचरा देखिल बाहेर पाठवा.
काही झाले तरी सुका कचरा मात्र या गाडीला देऊ नये.  इथे आपण चुकतो. 3-5 दिवस सुका कचरा गोळा करून देण्यात यावे. यासाठीच पालिकेतील वेगळी गाडी आहे. सध्या याचे कंत्राट श्री गुणवंत जाधव कडे आहे. पालिकेत त्यांचा फोन नंबर मिळेल. ते आपले काम नियमित करत नाहीत हे मात्र खरे आहे. तरी फोन करुन आठवण केल्यावर येतात.
ओला सुका कचरा वेगळा करणे पुरे नाही. ते वेगळेच द्यावे लागते.  आपल्या पर्यावरणासाठी निदान एवढे तरी करू या

कचर्याचे वर्गीकरण असे करा- मराठी

सुका कचरा	सेंद्रिय कचरा	निरुपयोगी कचरा
पिशवी मधे गोळा करणे	हिरव्या बिन मधे गोळा करणे	तुमच्या घरच्या बिन मधे गोळा करणे
मजबूत पिशवी वापरा	प्लास्टिक वापरू नये, वर्तमानपत्र वापरणे	कागदामधे गुंडाळून देणे उत्तम
कगद प्लास्टिक काचा धातु थर्माकोल लाकडाचे टुकडे कापड झाडू आणि लादी पुसायचे कापड घसणी चमकणारे कागद टेट्रापैक चीनी मातीचे टुकडे थोड्या प्रमाणात प्लास्टिक आणि टाकाऊ ताट आणि भांडी	स्वयंपाकघरातील- फळ- भाज्यांची देठ आणि सालं उरलेले आणि खराब झालेले अन्न मांसाहारी अन्न चहा- कॉफी चे गाळण अन्न चिकटलेले टिशू आणि कागद सुपारी पानाचे किव्हा उसाच्या चोथ्यानी बनवलेले ताट, भांडी पाळीव प्राण्यांचे अन्न- विष्ठा टाकू नये बागेतून- फुलं, पाने, छोटी फळे, छोट्या काठ्या- काड्या देव्हार्यातून- फुले, पाने, छोटी फळे, प्रसाद, सुती दोरा	सानीटरि नाप्कीन डायपर कंडोम ब्लेड ड्रेसिंग आणि इंजेक्शन जुनी औषधे जुने मेक-उप चे सामान जुने रंग कीटनाषक आणि त्याचे डबे झाडताना गोळा झालेला धूळ-कचरा
मंगळवारी आणि शनिवारी जमा केले जाईल	रोज जमा केला जाईल	रोज जमा केला जाईल
डेब्री- विटा, राबिट, बांधकामातील सर्व कचरा- महापालिकेच्या गाडीला बोलावून माफक दरात उचलले जाईल. तोपर्यंत गोण्यांमध्ये भरून ठेवणे.
ई- वेस्ट- सर्व इलेक्ट्रोनिक आणि विजेची उपकरणे, एक्स रे, ट्यूब आणि बल्ब, बेटरी आणि त्यावर चालणारी उपकरणे खेळणी, सी डी, कसेट, मोबाईल- महिन्याच्या शेवटच्या शनिवार- रविवार जमा करणे

कचरा छाटणे कि विधी - हिंदी

सुखा कचरा	खाद बनाने योग्य कचरा	निरुपयोगी कचरा
थैली में रखना	हरा बिन	आपका बिन
थैली मजबूत होनी चाहिये	प्लास्टिक लाइनर नही कागज इस्तेमाल करे	प्लास्टिक नही कागज में लपेट के डाले
कागज प्लास्टिक कांच धातु थर्माकोल लकडे के टुकडे कपडे झाडू और पोछा का कपडा जूते और बैग फोआईल टेट्रापैक प्लास्टिक और थर्माकोल के प्लेट और बर्तन टूटे हुये गमले स्क्रबर और स्पंज	रसोई से- सब्जी और फलो के छिलके बचा हुआ या खराब खाना मांसाहारी पदार्थ पालतू पक्षी प्राणी का खाना (विष्ठा नही) चाय कॉफी पत्ती खाने के साथ रहा हुआ टिशू और कागज पत्तो से बने प्लेट और बर्तन बगीचे से- फूल, पत्ते, छोटे फळ, टहनिया मंदिर से- फूल, पत्ते, छोटे फल, प्रसाद, सूती धागे लकडी का भूसा फलो के साथ रखी घास	सेनिटरि नाप्किन डायपर कंडोम ब्लेड ड्रेसिंग और इंजेक्शन पुरानी दवाइया, पुराना मेक अप का समान रंग कीटनाशक और उनके डिब्बे, कव्हर झाडू करणे से निकली हुई धूल- कचरा
हर मंगलवार, शनिवार जमा किया जायेगा	हर रोज जमा किया जायेगा	हर रोजजमा किया जायेगा
डेब्री- रेती, बालू, टूटे हुये गमले या बाथरूम का समान, इंट – बी एम सी द्वारा बुलाये जाने पर उठाया जायेगा.
ई वेस्ट- बिजली से चलने वाले उपकरण, इलेक्ट्रोनिक उपकरण, थार्मामीटर, एक्स रे, बल्ब, ट्यूब, बाटरी और उसपे चलने वाले खिलोने उपकरण, सी डी, मोबाईल - हर महीने के आखरी शनिवार- रविवार को जमा करना है

SEGREGATION CHART- ENGLISH

DRY WASTE	ORGANIC WASTE	REJECT WASTE
BAG	GREEN BIN	YOUR OLD BIN
PREFER  STRONG REUSABLE BAG	LINE WITH NEWSPAPER NOT PLASTIC	LINE WITH PAPER NOT PLASTIC- WRAP IN PAPER
PAPER PLASTIC GLASS METAL THERMOCOL WOOD PIECES CLOTH BROOMS AND DUSTERS FOOTWEAR AND BAGS FOIL TETRAPAK DISPOSABLE PLATES/ CUPS SCRUBBERS AND SPONGES CERAMIC- SMALL QUANTITY	KITCHEN WASTE- Raw and cooked vegetable and fruit parts Leftover or spoilt food Veg and Non veg food Pet food (not feaces) Tea and coffee bags and grounds Tissue and kitchen paper soiled with food Biodegradable plates and cups GARDEN WASTE- Leaves, twigs, flowers, fruit, seeds NIRMALYA- Flowers, small fruit, leaves, Prasad, cotton thread	SANITARY NAPKINS DIAPERS CONDOMS BLADES DRESSINGS OUTDATED MEDICINES OUTDATED COSMETICS INSECTICIDE AND PESTICIDE COVERS PAINTS COLOURS DRESSINGS/ INJECTIONS DUST- DIRT COLLECTED AFTER SWEEPING
COLLECTED- TUESDAY AND SATURDAY	COLLECTED EVERYDAY	COLLECTED EVERYDAY
DEBRIS- BRICKS, CEMENT, TILES, FIXTURES, RUBBLE (RABBIT), SAND, CERAMIC- LARGE QUANTITY- BMC ON CALL SERVICE
E- WASTE- ELECTRIC ITEMS, ELECTRONIC ITEMS, THERMOMETER, X RAY, BULBS AND TUBES, BATTERY OPERATED TOYS- COLLECTED LAST WEEKENED OF EVERY MONTH

COURSE IN MUMBAI ECOLOGY

For the last 10 years or so, I have really wished there was something....like an adult learners' program or a short course where I could get authoritative knowledge and training about ecology. From these thoughts, I came up with the following outline for a certificate course.

If I get a good number of applicants, I can send across a formal proposal to someone.

MUMBAI  URBAN ECOLOGY

With the expansion of cities, erstwhile rural and forest areas are getting urbanised. This phenomenon is happening in all parts of the world and in Mumbai also. Secondly, within well established urban areas in Mumbai, there are unique ecosystems with their own flora and fauna (even if limited). Examples are kingfishers in gaothans, Coucals spread all over Mumbai and numerous sightings of snakes. Inspite of being a megalopolis, in Mumbai all is not lost. In other words, we still have a lot to lose if we do not protect Mumbai’s ecology now.

In addition, there is nothing to suggest that urbanisation should necessarily lead to environment destruction. Maybe the quality of the environment will not be anywhere near when it was in a pristine state. But we can ensure some greenery and mitigate the process of destruction. This is in our own interests as environment protection helps to preserve local resources, improves local ambience and has been clearly associated with good health outcomes for communities.

 Mumbaikars need to learn about ecology and simple methods of preservation as applicable to Mumbai. This will promote environment- mindedness and enhance knowledge and agency where it already exists. We should aim to gift our coming generations the remaining jewels of nature, natural resources (water) and a pollution-free Mumbai.

To achieve this we need to do following two things-

1. Bring together like-minded Mumbaikars and Mumbai- lovers under the ‘Mumbai Urban Ecology’ group. This is already happening due to self motivated, well informed persons and by ngos and activists.  

2. Provide know- how and training to those seeking to learn and be instrumental in the study and protection of ‘Mumbai Urban Ecology’. This is required by persons who have a strong desire to participate but lack the confidence or knowledge or both.

For understanding and protecting Mumbai urban ecology, hi-fi expert knowledge like environment engineering or PhD are not needed. An accurate knowledge and orientation to the thought process are needed. This can be achieved by a short course on a part-time basis with exposure to relevant topics.

Hence, with respect to the second point, I propose to have a ‘Mumbai Urban Ecology’ course.

The course should be a distance- education or online course. I propose it should be a year long course with following curriculum:

MODULE 1- INTRODUCTION ‘MUMBAI URBAN ECOLOGY’

What is ecology? What is Urban Ecology? Methods of study and documentation. Historical perspectives. Present ecology. Distribution of dissertation topics

MODULE 2- INTERFACE

Urbanisation and environment- effect and impact. Concept of environmental impact assessment. Rules and laws. Review of Movements, campaigns and ngo work- occurred in Mumbai or with relevance to Mumbai.

MODULE 3- PROBLEMS OF URBAN ECOLOGY 1

Habitat destruction. Resource depletion. And their mitigation.  

MODULE 4- PROBLEMS OF URBAN ECOLOGY-2

Pollution and its mitigation. Include studies on ‘green’ architecture and ‘green/ sustainable’ living, green designs

MODULE 5- APPROACHES TO URBAN ECOLOGY

Study and documentation. Adverse impacts mitigation. Education. Advocacy and activism.  This module should be designed to cause reflection in the student about what should be their role, what do they want to do with the learning in the course

ASSESSMENT

1. Group discussion

2. Dissertation presentation

METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION OF COURSE

Course can have two coordinators and we can have a first trial batch with nominal fee or sponsored by some environment- minded organisation. We will have to organise experts from relevant fields to take respective topics. Some experts will also be needed to guide the students and/ or assess the dissertations. Many field trips will have to be organised.

The expenses will arise from

1. Faculty remuneration

2. classroom and other incidentals

3. Field visits

4. Study material

5. administrative costs 

MY EXPERIENCE OF HOME COMPOSTING 2

Around 2009, I read somewhere that composting is a natural process and ‘happens all the time”. The thought stayed with me and I thought I should try it out. So I began to collect all the kitchen waste in gardening containers with a layer of soil in between two days’ stuff. It looked ok for a few days and then it started leaking- so I loaded the whole thing onto another container with soil and it was ok. A few weeks later, I got the shock of my life when I discovered my unit had been attacked by rodents and what a revolting mess it was! I wished I never should have got into it. Gathering my wits by me, I tidied it- with more containers and fortified it with mesh. Still the rodents were not discouraged. So I shifted the unit to under my kitchen sink.

Now rodents had no access. Next problem was- even after 2 months everything was looking as I had put it and there was no sign of any process of composting. (This was before the internet compost coaching was common or maybe I had not yet taken to it.) Plus I needed soil and containers. I was accumulating stuff at such pace that I was running out of space and time to be able to deal with it. I thought I should add some microbes to hurry the process so I began to add curds or buttermilk. It helped somewhat by slightly hurrying the process. But still it took 3-4 months to get processed and considering that much of it was soil, the net amount of compost generated was miniscule. Sol I could manage only part of the waste generated and rest of it went to the dump.

Then I met Aniruddha and stumbled on Bokashi. Bokashi is quite elegant and incredible method of composting. First I tried with simple homemade system. It consisted of two sets of a pair of cheap plastic bins nesting into one another (total 4). It turned out to be much easier than what I was doing and I was able to process much more waste than earlier and it did not need day to day inputs. The problem was I still had logistical issues managing the leachate and burying the bokashi. In the early phase, I used to be very unpopular with folks at home who had to put up with the strong smells twice a week. Even my 5 year old son began to resent ‘compost’. Plus I was still not able to manage full volume. This was around 2012. After 6 months of struggling with this, I ordered the ‘Ecobin’ kit. I will say, I am a satisfied customer of this product and my composting journey reached destination with this final move.

It took me almost a year and a half to perfect the method...mainly because I was really not too sincere initially. Now a single scrap of organic waste does not leave my house. I have extended it use to my workplace- where it works fine 90pc of the time. It goes bad when staff change or some misunderstanding occurs...otherwise its going fine. The bin sits imperceptibly in the reception area doing its work quietly.

So folks, I have spent close to a decade perfecting the composting solution for my home. It need not actually take so much time. For the first 7-8 years I was like a rolling stone, constantly changing track. With bokashi, I stuck around and learned rapidly. I am somewhat curious by nature and continue to explore composting methods because I am totally fascinated by composting. My next challenge is going to be scaling up and I am hoping that my participation in the swacch parle abhiyaan gives me a chance to learn this bit.