Establishment of mini parks at Bhainsa

Background : In 2001 I assumed charge of municipal commissioner, Bhainsa. At that time priority was given to tree plantation Government. However, Bhainsa was located in the rain shadow region. Rainfall is comparitively less . People use to depend on the ground water.At that time, suddhavagu (Gaddenna project) was not constructed.There was need to take up plantation.I have brought 10,000 saplings from the forest department and got it planted in various places. But ,sustaining was low due to the absence of protection arrangements. Hence, re-thinked the strategy to have the plantation in protected places or to arrange protection involving people .

Activity: In 2002-03 ,there were more rain fall than expected. It  inundated some houses near the busstand in Bhainsa. The water coming from the Narasimha swamy hill was causing problems. Chairperson sri.Jabeer Ahmed was very active person and he receives most of the grievance complaints, though I receive the written complints. In his absence for some days, people directly approached me.I thought it would cost one or two lakh Rupees (then estimated cost).I thought to get it done from Betterment Charges.

I started negotiating with them asking them to contribute  for the plantation. After the indepth discussion I requested them to establish the mini park in front of their houses . They have readily agreed for the establishment of mini park in front of their house, duly placing mesh for protecting the plants.

The drain was constructed by Bhainsa municipality .The consequent action of Establishment of the mini park was pending. Again I have to persue with Dr.Raji Reddy, who stood in the forefront to assure the establishment of the mini park.Consequently, he took it very seriously and requested other members to co-operate.

The work of Establishment of the mini park was started.The problem of water has surfaced. I talked to the doctors near by Government hospital. Dr.Kashinath has readily agreed for the propsals and said it would bring beauty to their hospital also.

In that way the initial task of establishment of the mini park was completed.The mini park is on the way to Narasimha swamy kalyana mandapam, where all the important functions and meetings use to take place, at that time. It attracted the attention of the important people of the Bhainsa. Later, another homeopathy doctor extended the mesh and planted saplings.Importantly, the watering and maintainence was looked after by Dr.Raji Reddy. I extended thanks to him many times.

Thus, slowly it paved the way for Establishment of mini parks infront of their Industries and houses.It was estimated that around 75 persons established mini parks in such a way.

Outcomes:
1.It increased the greenary and beautified the town of Bhainsa, while protecting the environment.
2 . encroachments to certain extent was controlled.
3.Increased the public participation in Government programmes.
4.It brought happiness to the Government officials.

Irony: Over a period of time, the mantle of commissioner has passed to different person and the mini park was removed. It pained me and other people of the town.  

Wish: Again Sri.Jabeer Ahmed is the vice chairman, who is important person.I want to request him to allow again to establish the mini park at same place.

Lesson: An initiative can be implemented by taking a lot of time.But, same can be destroyed or discontinued in minutes or in days.

Herbal Parks initiative in khammam

Background: Herbal park was established in the suryapet( in Indira Park).In fact it was conversion of a old park into a new herbal park. Also, herbal seedlings were distributed.
Herbal park was established established in suryapet  with the following Aims.


Here in the khammam also the Herbal parks were established with the same aims and objectives.

Earlier, the time taken for Establishment was very high , as procurement and mobilisation of the seeds and seedlings in the suryapet was taken a lot of time.But, due to the various relations with the established relations with ayurvedic doctors, forest department and  KVKs made the things easier in herbal plantation. Also some seedlings were brought from suryapet .

Places of Establishment: Herbal parks were established at two places in khammam city.One is at Srinivas nagar water tank. and  other is at Sthambadri Laxmi narasmhaswamy temple.T.T.D has sent some saplings as a part of mana gudi programme.

The saplings planted:






Limitations:
1.The srinivas nagar tank was not an established park, which was not divided into the bloks.
2 . erroneously staff had provided much space for banana plantation.
3. The names of the plants with scientific names and its uses were not displayed , despite of efforts.
4 . Awareness was not brought about it in the school children.
5.It was not circulated among the local ayurvedic doctors.



Outcomes achieved:
1.

swadeshi attitude of Barbers&washerwomen

We always here from high level economists to use the Indian (swadeshi) goods to save our country and our currency Rupee.Most of the times, rich people have deaf ears to these calls.But, as per my observation, Barbers and washerwoman show great swadeshi attitude knowingly or unknowingly.

Since my childhood to present days, I have been observing the Barbers.They use the swadeshi products for shaving, cutting, etc.They use the super max blade, cosmo plus cream, etc.Any way rest of the products are Indian made.I asked them why do they use them.The answer was that the Indian products are cheaper and maintaining the quality. Also the utensils are use and throw.One blade cannot be used for more than once. Astonishingly, I moved to not less than 10 places from my childhood, but mostly they are using the swadeshi products. The reason is that they continuously interact in the meetings with one other and discuss the quality and cost effective of the product. That leads to uniform use of products. However, fortunately they are swadeshi products. Any way, everyone must appreciate them for their use of swadeshi goods with a commitment and determination.

Similarly, the story of washer women of my own village. I use to assist my father in running a grocery shop in my village from 1991 to 1995.Most of the washer women of the village belongs to our locality and used to buy the washing material from our shop.Most of them used washing soda for washing the cloths . Otherwise, they used the Nirma washing powder. It was very famous and available at low cost.The soap they used was ETA.At that time, it was very famous and easily available for low cost while maintaining the quality. These people also had regular meetings with in their community. Their commitment and determination in using the swadeshi goods is applauding.

I want to reveal that sensitisation of the swadeshi attitude must be community wise in large gatherings . Government and swadeshi activists shall work accordingly to reap good results to save the Rupee value.

Zero wastage of water in my Grany days

In my Grand mother days, there were zero release of water from the house to road.Water was optimally used, so as to save the resources. Also, there were no modern gadgets like taps, showers, etc., which wastes the water.

In olden days, water used to be drawn from the open well. Hence, people were habituated to use water optimally. There were not much use of soaps are shampoos, which consumes more water . mostly shikai powder or kunkudukaya or vattiveru were used to take head bath.green gram powder was used to clean up the skin, which consumes a little water.It is a kind of "Reduction" methods of consumption of resources. Also , ash was used to clean the utensils. It again allowed to consume a little water.

The used water  was Channelised to pass through the trees one after other. This allows the growth of trees and plants also decreases the work of watering.The water is also  "Reused".

Despite of channelled the water to trees and plants, there used to be excess water.Most of the people including my maternal Grand parents dug up a pit to percolation of water, so as to conserve the water.It is a kind of a "Recycling" of water.

The pit is made up of pebbles (metal/rocks) of different size in ascending order from the top.over that sand is aranged.the coal pieces are also arranged over the sand.This mechanism allows seepage of leftover watein the pit.The coal also grab the foul smell emanating out of the decomposed materials reaching to the pit.The pit used to be cleaned and cleared once or twice in a year.This the one of the reasons why the mosquitoes breeding was less in olden days.

In contrary to the old and traditional habits, presently every single drop of water is reaching the drains and reaching to the water bodies without treatment, causing many health and pollution problems.

Hence, the age old practice of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and conservation of water is worth emulation in the present scenario of need to conserve the resources for the next generations.

Amazing water conservation with banana plants

During my  tenure at khammam city, I lived in SS towers in VDOs colony. In the rainy season, the parking lot of the apartment was with full of water, causing a lot of nuisance. I have thought of solutions to meet the needs of the situation. I have recollected that in suryapet, I have planted the banana plants in the water logging areas. But, then I have not monitored the results of the initiative directly. But, my feedback from the staff was encouraging.

I got brought the banana plants from the suryapet and 3 three plants among them was planted in our apartment. It has taken about 2 months time to grow up. New seedlings have come up from the plants.The water sucking capacity of banana plants were amazing and astonishing. The floor area of the building is about 350 square yards.The total water out of the floor wes sucked by the banana plants.

As per my observation, there were no more water logging in the apartment any more.

Outside parking of Trivendrum

I went to Trivendrum, while returning from kerala after ayyappa Darshan.It is a capital city of kerala state.The commercial capital is kochin.Hence, there was not much traffic congestion. But, in the recent past, it has become famous with discovery of hindden treasure from the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple.

Government has also taken steps for parking facilities to the outside vehicles. The fecility is in the outskirts. All the facilities such as drinking water, toilets, bathing shops and hotels were provided. The outside vehicles were not allowed to enter into the town.City bases were provided from the parking facility.

Advantages :

1.It don't allow the traffic congestions.

2.equality of law is followed.

3 . public transport allows less pollution, as more number of people travel with the same quantity of fuel.

4.Poor and middle class people travel with low cost.

5 . occupancy ratio of buses would be more.

6.The expenditure on roads maintenance would come down.

Replicablity :

1. Where newly merged places are available in the municipal corporations, places shall be earmarked for the parking of vehicles on the lines of trivendrum.

Battery Run Autos of Pondicherry

 I visited Pondicherry as a part of training on SJSRY Sheme during 2008 or 2009.The wonderful initiative I observed was Running of Battery run autos by SHG women in 3 assigned routes.

The steps involved in the initiative , as told by one of the women auto drivers are as follows :

1.
The purchase of Autoricksha was funded under SJSRY Scheme to the women Self Help Groups(SHG).

2 . Training was inducted to the SHG women members to drive the vehicles.
3.Benificiary contribution was borne from the Group savings.
4.A committee was constituted to over see the daily activities and monetary issues of the Autorickshas.
5.Daily activities includes the charging of battery, minor repairs.
6.Routes for women driven battery mounted vehicles were earmarked by the local transport department. This has paved the way for the success of the initiative.
7 . Consequently, women have become efficient in carrying out the business with the help of local community development staff support.
8.Detailed discussions were held on implementation of the initiative and actions to be initiated for the wellbeing of the initiative.
9.Community Development staff of the local municipality has highlighted the initiative. This led to additional incentives from the visitors too.

Advantages:
1.It is an environment friendly initiative. Air pollution and noise pollution will be zero, as it runs with battery.
2.It ensures the safety of women travellers.
3.It provides employment to many families and empower the women.
4.Travelling facility would be provided with a low cost, as the charges are predetermined.
5.It provides the solution for the traffic problems, as 7 members can travel at a time.

Replicablity:
1.
It can be implemented in all the municipal corporations and Grade-I and above municipalities, when long stretch of roads are available.
2.solar energy can be used for charging of the battery and also solar  panels can be used on top of the auto while it is running.
3 . Women auto drivers may be given karratte training for self defence and to protect travellers in the difficult situations. 

Pre-Paid Autoricksha system of Bengaluru

During 2004, I visited Banglore . During that visited Lalbagh park.I stayed in the Lodge near RailWay station. I have to go in a auto.When I tried to catch a auto, people in the lodge explained about the Pre-Paid Autoricksha system. The advantages of the system attracted me  like any thing.I decided to make it a reality in my working place in future.I tried to implement it in Khammam municipal Corporation limits.Auto unions opposed it strongly.Even I wanted to establish a call centre for the benifit of above initiative to ensure autos reaching every nook and corner.

The procedure involved in the system was that every traveller intended to travel in the city has to register themselves in the computer, duly telling the personal information and place of travelling. The person in the counter used to collect the pre decided user charge and give the receipt cum ticket.

However,  I enlist the advantages of the above system as follows :

1.It ensures safety of travellers ,especially in the night time, as details of both auto driver and travellers are noted in the computer.
2.It also ensures the equitable opportunity to auto drivers, since they have to maintain the queue.
3.It minimises the unnecessary squeezing of ignorant people, especially rural people who lack the power of negotiating.
4.It ensure regular flow of vehicles available for the travellers.
5.It is a wonderful step ahead in the safe journey of women.
6.It is a wonderful step in the tourist places, as it ensures the reliability.

The point here I would like to tell is that similar initiatives can be emulated in all the municipal corporations in the first phase for the safety, transparency and quality services by autos.