Plastic Pollution a Grave Concern: Minister Shyam Kumar

| SANJOO THANGJAM, IMPHAL - 06 Jul 2019

Sanjoo Thangjam, Special Correspondent IOP

Friday July 6, 2019: A two day Capacity Building Programme on Six Waste Management Rules, 2016 was organised by National Productivity Council (BPC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Manipur Urban Development Agency (MUDA) and Directorate of MAHUD began today at the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound, Imphal East.

The resource personals discussed on the six waste management rules notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change namely Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016; E-waste Management Rules, 2016; Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016; Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016; Construction and Demolition Rules, 2016 and Hazardous and Other Wastes (Movement and Trans-boundary Movement) Rules, 2016.

MAHUD Minister Shri Thounaojam Shyamkumar was the Chief Guest. In his speech he said that there is a need to introduce syllabus on waste management from the primary level and also stated that the early introduction to the topic will help in spreading awareness in environmental conservation.

The Minister requested to all the stakeholders to work together in implementating the six management rules in the State successfully.

He also said that the trend initiated by the Forest Department of presenting sapling of various plants and trees to the dignitaries at the functions is an initiative to save the environment.

''The two day programme will surely help the various department officials to come together to choke out plans for solving the problems faced by the people of the State,'' he added.

M. Joy Singh, Commissioner, MAHUD said that for the successful implementation of the waste management rules, a collective effort is needed from all the stakeholders including the citizens of the State.

About 300 participants attended on the first day of the programme and as a part of the programme, a video message of Dr. Amita Prashad, Director General, NPC was screened.

There were also various stalls displaying products made from recycled plastics, tyres and others materials which enthralled the visitors at the City Convention Centre. Apart from these,file covers and pencils made from recycled paper were distributed to the participants.

National Productivity Council (NPC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry served as National Programme Coordinator for the Capacity Building Project on six waste management rules. The project seeks to strengthen institutional capacities at Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and amongst stakeholders towards collection of wastes, promote 3 R (reduce, reuse and recycle) initiatives and dissemination of good practices and facilities integrated efforts towards achieving improvement in general health of city environment among others.

It is worth mentioning that Imphal has been selected as one of the 100 cities under the programme and that the two day programme will definitely enable various stakeholders to implement the waste management rules and in performing duties towards achieving the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission.

Th. Harikumar Singh, Director, MAHUD, Suvyendo Shivakar, Assistant Director, National Productivity Council, Swati Singh Sambyal, Programme Head, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE); Dinesh R. Bandela, Deputy Programme Manager, CSE, Sonia Henam, Deputy Programme Manager, CSE, New Delhi, Officials of various State departments and various stakeholders including NGOs and Self Help Groups attended the inaugural function today.