Waste of two decades repurposed into Muni Ki Reti’s innovative Waste to Wonder Park
Saturday, 10 AUGUST 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Muni Ki Reti municipality has built a Waste to Wonder Park on a site that previously had about 1,400 metric tonnes of legacy waste collected during two decades, spread over 2,500 square feet.
The municipality has taken a significant step towards promoting responsible waste management by developing a unique “Waste to Wonder Park.” This innovative park is designed not only as a recreational space but also as an educational platform to inspire people to make better use of waste materials, showcasing the transformation of trash into treasures, the municipality’s executive officer Tanvir Singh Marwah said. He informed that about 1,400 metric tonnes of legacy waste, spread over 2,500 square feet was posing both an environmental challenge and a hindrance to land use.
Recognising the need to address this issue, the municipality undertook the massive task of processing and disposing of the legacy waste. He said, “The process to dispose of the legacy waste by bioremediation method was started in December last year and was completed by April. After that, we reclaimed our land and started the work to convert it into a park. The park features a variety of attractions made entirely from discarded items. For children, there are swings crafted from scrap materials, adding an eco-friendly playful touch to the park. Additionally, a raft and a car constructed from waste materials are major highlights. There is also a designated selfie point made from recycled waste. The park also includes eco-benches, planters and other installations, all made from items like empty plastic and glass bottles, old tyres and iron scraps collected from the surrounding urban areas.” He said that this effort not only resolved a long-standing waste problem but also paved the way for the creation of this Waste to Wonder Park. Marwah further informed that it cost about Rs 20 lakh to construct the park. He said that the efficient handling of the legacy waste and the subsequent creation of the park is a commendable achievement under the Swachchh Survekshan initiative, which aims to encourage cleanliness and educate the public on the effective use of waste materials.
“The park stands as a testament to the potential of waste when repurposed creatively. It not only serves as a recreational area but also as a powerful reminder of the importance of waste management and environmental sustainability. This is why we named it Waste to Wonder Park,” he said. The EO informed that although the park’s official inauguration is still pending, it has already begun attracting visitors curious to see how waste can be transformed into something wonderful. It will be inaugurated soon, he added.
