Davanagere: A doctor in Davanagere has sparked a remarkable change in community behaviour through a cleanliness campaign that encouraged residents to dispose of waste responsibly and segregate garbage. Dr Shanta Bhat, an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, founded Parivarthana Vedike and introduced hanging garbage bags on roadside trees along with awareness signboards. She also promoted the segregation of wet, dry, sanitary, and sharp waste, as well as composting, helping residents adopt cleaner waste-disposal habits.Dr Shanta Bhat spread awareness about separating wet waste, dry waste, human sanitary waste and sharp waste, and about preparing compost manure. In SS Layout and Anjaneya Layout of Davanagere city, bags were hung in every lane to collect dry waste. Through sustained awareness campaigns, residents developed the habit of depositing garbage in these hanging bags instead of throwing it along roadsides. As a result, streets once littered with waste became visibly cleaner.Members of Parivarthana Vedike also cleared overgrown weeds and garbage from vacant plots. Under Dr Shanta Bhat’s leadership, the ‘Kasa-Rasa Campaign’ was launched in SS Layout in 2014. Since then, training has been provided on waste segregation and compost preparation, with the team conducting awareness programmes across Davanagere city.“We launched this campaign to create awareness about proper waste disposal. Many people have joined us, but self-discipline is essential to protect the environment. Everyone must take responsibility for disposing of garbage correctly,” said Dr Shanta Bhat.Art College Road and Anjaneya Layout Road were also transformed. Dr Gayathri M, an ENT surgeon and member of Parivarthana Vedike, helped make the stretch near the Fine Arts College and the residence of the Davanagere University vice-chancellor free of garbage, with support from local residents.“I am a member of Parivarthana Vedike. We have taken up this initiative purely in the interest of cleanliness. We tied bags along roadsides so people could use them for waste disposal. To bring about change, our president, Dr Shanta Bhat, first launched this effort,” said Dr Gayathri. “Our goal is to segregate waste into four categories and ensure it is recycled. If garbage is not collected properly, it spills onto the streets and gradually turns into heaps of filth,” she added.Around 15 to 20 bags were installed for dry waste collection, and since then, littering on the streets has stopped. Signboards urging people to use the bags were also put up, helping to make several roads cleaner. “People now come in groups to walk on these cleaned roads,” said Basavaraj, a resident.
