Bengaluru: The city may soon have a new volunteer force dedicated to improving waste management, with Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda proposing the introduction of ‘waste wardens’ along the lines of traffic wardens.The proposal emerged during a public consultation on waste management held Thursday, where various participants and civil societies discussed ways to improve segregation at source, reduce littering, and strengthen monitoring of garbage collection across the city.Under the proposal, waste wardens would be trained to educate residents on proper waste segregation, ensure garbage is handed over to collection vehicles, monitor collection systems in their localities, and help prevent the formation of blackspots. The volunteers could also be deployed during large public events that generate significant amounts of waste.“Communication is the key here, and we should be able to communicate with citizens on their responsibilities, including segregation, giving waste to the autos, and not littering. I’ve heard how effective traffic wardens are and I’m sure our waste wardens will help us spread the word and raise awareness,” Gowda said.The concept draws inspiration from Bengaluru’s traffic warden programme, where trained volunteers assist traffic police in managing and monitoring road safety issues.However, the proposal has also raised questions about how the new volunteers would fit into the existing waste management structure.At present, Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) already deploys marshals, link workers or community mobilisers, and junior health officers to oversee various aspects of waste management. These personnel are tasked with ensuring garbage collection vehicles arrive on schedule, promoting waste segregation at source, educating residents and preventing littering within their jurisdictions.Given the similarity in responsibilities, it remains unclear how the proposed waste wardens would differ from or complement the functions carried out by these teams. Several participants at the consultation nevertheless backed the proposal, saying a dedicated volunteer network could help improve community participation and strengthen neighbourhood-level monitoring.Many residents, however, suggested that the wardens should be offered an honorarium or incentives to encourage participation and reward those who help maintain cleaner neighbourhoods.Responding to the suggestion, Gowda indicated that the idea was originally conceived as a volunteer-driven initiative. “I was thinking wardens are those volunteers who want to work out of interest, something like people who want to give some service to the city and give back to the city. As we already have marshals and link workers who are part of the system and are getting paid, paying wardens is something I need to think of,” he said.The proposal is still at a conceptual stage, with details regarding the selection, training, responsibilities and possible incentives for waste wardens yet to be worked out. If implemented, it could add another layer of citizen participation to Bengaluru’s waste management system, with authorities hoping it will improve awareness and compliance at the neighbourhood level.
