PUNE: In an attempt to make Katraj ward number 141 a zero garbage' ward, a bicycle rally and walkathon will be conducted to create awareness among citizens regarding segregation of garbage and cleanliness on October 2.

The rally is organised from Katraj Talav to Mauli Garden on Katraj-Kondhwa road from 8 am to 9.30 am. It will be jointly organised by Janwani, an NGO promoted by the MCCIA, Lions clubs of Pune, Maharashtra Plastics Manufactures Association, Dhankawadi Ward office of the Pune Municipal Corporation and the SWaCH Cooperative.

Kishori Gadre, director of Janwani, said that the idea was to create a model where waste can be disposed of locally, thereby reducing the stress on dumping sites and also minimising transportation costs. It will start with an awareness campaign followed by training of societies and visits to households to create a system of segregation of garbage in the ward.

The wet waste will be converted into compost or bio-gas and the dry waste will be recycled, she added.

According to Gadre, the management of solid waste is a major problem which has environmental implications. Pune generates 1200-1300 tons of garbage everyday and it is growing day by day as the population is increasing. With the support of local corporator and citizens, the group would like to make a Nirmal Katrj, Dekhane Katraj, she said.

The bicycle rally will be for about 5 km and walkathon is less than 1 km. Members of the Pune Cycle Pratishthan and Lions Clubs, NGOs and students will participate in the rally.

The rally will spread information on project zero garbage', importance of segregation and role of citizens.