Green Sainikpuri shows the way by ‘nukkad’ composting

Sainikpuri: The residents of Sainikpuri have started collecting dry leaves, branches and twigs from the several avenues and are turning it into compost. Unlike other colonies that have set up huge compositing units spending lakhs, ‘Green Sainikpurians’ as the residents call themselves have come up with a novel idea of setting up composting bins at strategic locations.

The brainchild behind the idea, Deepa Shailender said, “Residents dump dry leaves and any other waste except plastic into the five feet bins. Half the bin is covered with leaves and a ball of cow dung and jaggery is placed over it. Within a week, earthworms make their way and in nine weeks we have black compost.”

Sainikpuri is essentially a colony full of retired service officers and many have been composting waste at home. For instance, Major Vijay Uppal has been doing it for years, says Deepa. “We wish to take this forward and place bins at street corners and convert green waste into black gold.” The idea is working say residents as people from other colonies too walk in and dump leaves and shrubs into the bin. What is more, anyone can pick up the compost and walk away. By placing bins in all streets, load on the civic body too ahs reduced considerably.

Puja flower composting

Thousands visit the Umamaheshwari and Lakshminarayan temple and there is a huge amount of flowers that used to be left to rot. Thanks to Kasturi Nori, a resident started a Swachh mandir team and set up puja flower composter that is reaping dividends. Rajeev, a resident said, “Such initiatives will go a long way in making the place clean and green. What is heartening is how senior citizens are pitching in.”

There is a lot of greenery in Sainikpuri and as a result there is huge amount of dry leaves. This is being harnessed and converted into black gold. People now need not look elsewhere to buy manure.”

BY Mohammed Hussain