Chikkaballapur, 5 Oct

Once ranked among the top ten districts in India for air quality, Chikkaballapur is now aiming to become one of Karnataka’s cleanest districts.

As part of this effort, the Zilla Panchayat has launched a major initiative to transform "black spots"—illegal garbage dumping areas—into attractive public spaces or "comfort zones".

ZP CEO Naveen Bhat Y, who earlier served in the Health Department, said the goal is to ensure a clean, healthy, and pleasant environment for all. He has instructed officials to identify and beautify dumping-prone sites by installing benches, planting saplings, using painted tyres, and other creative means to make the locations more inviting.

Over 5,300 black spots have been identified across the district. Nearly 4,900 have already been cleared, and beautification is in progress. Executive Officers of each taluk have been directed to take up at least one or two such projects locally. Efforts are also being made to prevent fresh dumping and raise public awareness.

This initiative, under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, follows the principle of "Ek Diwas, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath" (One Day, One Hour, Together), with public participation from students, officials, and elected representatives. The campaign uses local funds and manpower from Gram Panchayats.

Chikkaballapur now ranks just behind Mandya and Tumakuru in black spot clean-ups, and officials aim to make it a model district for cleanliness in State.