Volunteers and civic authorities clearing black spots of garbage often brings a lot of cheer to local residents, and in the media too. A lot of people in civil society groups have participated in such efforts at least once. But the spots recur - as we've always known they would.
The real challenge is to prevent such spots from forming in the first place. And this is a considerably harder task than clearing it for a few days after enough people have complained and endured its stench and sight. Endless beautification hasn't nudged the ball towards that.
The reason is simple. There is a political economy around garbage, and it can only be defeated by perpetual engagement from citizens. Anything that is temporary on the part of citizens is known to be temporary in the political economy too, and it's simple to wait that out.
In fact, it's not unusual to see some of those who are responsible for the black spots also participate in the clean-up drives, in 'solidarity with the citizens'. For the briefest of moments, people are lulled into thinking that 'our representative' is also 'with us' in this.
Then the sun sets on that day and delusion, and we awake to the old again quickly. This is never going to add up. Civic engagement is of course a good thing, and a lot of people should participate, but it should be done IN ADDITION to good governance norms, not INSTEAD of them.
The only permanent fix is to pass the Dumping Saaku bill, first proposed more than 10 years ago. If we limit the ability of BBMP to take trash out of its jurisdiction into nearby villages, the pressure of that ban will work its way up the chain to reduce, recycle and re-use.
Debating the efficacy of a proposed Waste-To-Energy plant in Bidadi makes no sense unless that debate is had by those living in Bidadi. Small towns and villages around Bengaluru are not regent outposts of the capital, they are meant to be self-governing local councils too.
A lot of state governments resent Central interference in state issues. But a lot of this is trash-talk (literally!) A simple test of genuine interest in democracy would be to empower local governance. When states pass that test, they'll get a better hearing from the Centre too.
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