Reduction of solid waste dumps in religious places during pandemic outbreak in Bengaluru

Abstract

Both biodegradable and non-biodegradable solid wastes are found in religious or worship places. Biodegradable waste consists of fruits, flowers, leaves, prepared food items, plantations, sweets and non-biodegradable waste consists of plastic covers, plastic plates, plastic cups, metal pieces, flags and so on. These were found during festivals, functions, yatras, urus, massive gatherings, and weddings in religious places. Large gatherings led to huge dumping of solid wastes in and around the religious places. The vendors and street hawkers after selling their goods used to dump the leftover wastes near these places during the pre-pandemic period. During the pandemic outbreak from April 2020 to August 2020, the religious places were shut to the public leading to minimal or zero solid waste production. During lockdown relaxation from September 2020, these places were sanitized; people were restricted with minimal gatherings and instructed to follow COVID appropriate behaviour. Similarly during the second wave lockdown from May 2021 to August 2021, people were not allowed to visit these places which led to the reduction of solid waste production in religious places leading to reduction of air, water and soil pollution.