GAIL has partnered with Avacayam to address the pollution generated by disruptive disposal of sacred flowers from places of worship in Noida.
The aim of the project in Noida:
1. Enhancing health and well-being indices for the residents
2. Providing opportunity for persons with disability to “Learn and Earn”
Due to Gail India’s conviction and confidence in our initiative we are able to intensify our efforts to clean Delhi and her surroundings. The collaboration of Noida Authority cemented this resolution.
The conversion of floral offerings, collected by the Horticulture Department of the Noida Authority is converted into consumer items – Holi colors, Incense sticks, Seed Bombs, Seed paper and Compost by NGOs working with people with disability in Noida. Prominent the work being done with Nari Niketan, a shelter for homeless women with mental illness managed by the UP Government and Deva Foundation.
Other NGOs associated are: SETU, Rotary Special School and Shree Foundation.
The Problem:
1. Organic and floral waste when disposed in water are broken down by bacterial action in a series of stages that result in the formation of CH4 (methane) and CO2. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of methane (CH4) is 72 times stronger than CO2. According to WHO, this has potentially serious adverse acute and chronic health effects.
2. While industrial runoff is often singularly blamed for the spike in pollution level in our rivers especially the Yamuna, floral waste hardly gets the blame. In fact, flower pollution is often overlooked while crafting policies towards cleaning the river. Floral waste, reportedly, accounts for 16 per cent of the total river pollutant.
3. Temple offerings are considered to be sacred, disposal in landfills is discouraged and most temples throw their waste into local water bodies like rivers, ponds and lakes. In fact, these offerings are disposed daily without segregation into biodegradable and non-biodegradable components. There is no monitoring system either.
4. Well-being and Happiness: In 2019, India was positioned as the 140th country in the world with respect to Well-being and Happiness – down from 133 in 2018; and 118 in 2016. Various factors that determine the happiness levels of a country include health, life expectancy, social support, income, amongst other factors.
I: How clean is our environment?
The indiscriminate disposal of temple flowers into the Yamuna has polluted her waters making it unfit for human use. In fact, it is even unfit for animal and aquatic life. Apart from the Capital city of Delhi, the Yamuna serves many large urban hubs including Noida. The need of the hour is to ensure that this lifeline is kept environmentally safe in a sustainable manner for the present population and future generations.
II: Pollution indices in Noida leading to compromised health
(WHO data)
1. Air Pollution 87.85 Very High
2. Drinking Water 73.62 High
Pollution and Inaccessibility
3. Water Pollution 83.75 Very High
I: How clean is our environment?
The indiscriminate disposal of temple flowers into the Yamuna has polluted her waters making it unfit for human use. In fact, it is even unfit for animal and aquatic life. Apart from the Capital city of Delhi, the Yamuna serves many large urban hubs including Noida. The need of the hour is to ensure that this lifeline is kept environmentally safe in a sustainable manner for the present population and future generations.
