Bengaluru has more than 1,500 ‘black spots’ where filth tends to accumulate. With the aim of reclaiming these black spots and beautifying them, the BBMP recently had 15 junior health inspectors trained by The Ugly Indian (TUI), an anonymous group of volunteers who clean and beautify the city streets.
The BBMP’s 198 junior health inspectors – one for every ward – are responsible for ensuring that the waste generated in the city is cleared regularly. D. Randeep, BBMP’s Special Commissioner for Solid Waste Management, told The Hindu that the idea behind the week-long programme, was to make them leaders in championing the cause of eliminating black spots.
The training received by the health inspectors covered two aspects – identifying the systemic issues behind the persistence of black spots, and beautification.
“The reasons for these black spots could range from shortage of manpower to gaps in the door-to-door collection of garbage," Mr Randeep said, adding, “It is the broken glasses theory: If the area is clean, there is less likelihood of people dumping waste there. But if the first littering has not been prevented, more people will dump garbage at that spot.”
To beautify a black spot, the health inspectors will get directly involved with the pourakarmikas (civic workers) of the area by donning gloves and aprons to first clear the garbage. Then they add some aesthetic value by painting the walls, drawing rangolis, or placing potted plants to prevent further littering. “The officials will monitor the spot for two or three days to ensure that it doesn’t go back to its earlier state," Mr. Randeep said.
A representative from TUI said that the idea was to empower the junior health officials, who are at the frontline. “There is a feeling that the BBMP is not doing enough, and we are trying to change that mindset. Wherever the TUI has successfully eliminated the black spot, it has been with the active involvement of the health officials,” the representative added.
“We need just around ₹1,000 to clean the area and paint it. Through this activity, the health inspectors will get to understand why these black spots exist,” Mr. Randeep said.
