Cyclists cold, national park garbage scheme goes waste

Cyclists at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park hardly use the waste collection bag while pedalling inside the park. Not many know that they will get a reimbursement of Rs5 for the garbage they bring back from inside the park.

The scheme was launched in 2011 along with the rent-a-cycle scheme where cyclists are encouraged to keep the park litter-free.

Banners put up at the rent-a-cycle counter inside the park’s main gate reads that cyclists can inspire others by doing this and in return get monetary benefit.

Earlier, the authorities would hand over an eco-friendly bag to cyclists, who would then collect wastes like plastic bottles, wrappers while pedalling to Kanheri caves or other trails inside the park.

Chief conservator of forest Vikas Gupta said: “The scheme has got a lukewarm response but we are ensuring that litter inside the park is minimal. Every morning workers go around picking up garbage. Moreover, at the main ticket counter a person checks visitors’ bags for plastic bottles.

We charge a deposit of Rs50 from visitors who carry water bottles. The money is reimbursed on their return after  they show us the bottle or else it is forfeited.”

An official of SGNP said “When the scheme was launched, there was tremendous response from citizens. Cyclists would bring back a bagful of garbage and some enthusiasts did not even seek a reimbursement. They took it upon them to keep the park clean.”

SGNP has around 100 cycles, which people can hire to cycle inside the park.

SR Mobarkar, an SGNP official who is in charge of the rent-a-cycle scheme, said: “There is less crowd on weekdays but on weekends we fall short of cycles. Many visitors, especially small groups or bunch of friends, prefer to cycle all the way up to Kanheri caves.”

Here’s how you can keep it clean
You can hire a cycle at Sanjay Gandhi National Park by paying Rs60 for two hours with a security deposit of Rs300

As per the waste collection scheme, cyclists who gather litter on the trails will get Rs5 reimbursed.