Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 284/15

INAUGURATION OF THE FIRST BIO-DIGESTER TOILET AND LAUNCHING OF FIRST SLRM AT NONGBAH MYRDON

Shillong, May 12, 2015: Meghalaya Community & Rural Development Minister, Shri Prestone Tynsong inaugurated the first Bio-digester toilet and launched the State’s first Solid & Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) Centre at Nongbah Myrdon on the 11th May, 2015 in presence of Dr. C. Lyngdoh, MLA and Parliamentary Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Shri K.N Kumar, Principal Secretary C&RD, Dr. Pooja Pandey, Deputy Commissioner, Shri D.Chakrapani, Director CIPS, Hyderabad, Shri C. Srinivasan SLRM, Shri T.Lyngwa, Director SIRD and other dignitaries.

The bio-digester toilet was sanctioned and constructed by the C&RD Department at an amount of Rs 2.33 lakhs.

Shri K.N Kumar, Principal Secretary highlighted that bio-digester technology has been developed in order to resolve the problems of undecomposed human wastes. The innovation degrades and converts the human waste into usable water and gasses. This process involves the bacteria which feed upon the faecal matter inside the tank through anaerobic process which finally degrades the matter and release methane gas that can be use for cooking along with treated water, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Tynsong said that he had a dream whereby he saw the change taking place to each and every citizens in Meghalaya, and he said that it is the indeed a red letter day on which his dream has come into reality through the inauguration of bio-digester toilet. He lauded the Director of CIPS for their efforts in sharing their contribution services in developing and transforming the Meghalaya through the new technology system, bio-digester. He also hoped that this new system will free the people from health hazards as well as from causing contamination of river water. He appreciated the residents of Nongbah Myrdon for their cooperation with the Government in the implementation of the bio-digester and hoped that one day each and every household will adopt the bio-digester toilet for their benefit.

Mr. Tynsong also appealed to everyone to work together as partners with the Government in order to develop and uplift the socio-economic lives of the people. He also appreciated and congratulated the participants from various villages of the State who participated in the 5 day workshop which correlated with the bio-digester. He urged them to put into practices all the guidelines that they have learned from the workshop and convey the same to their friends, relatives and neighbours.

Mr Tynsong also reminded the people about the World Environment Day which is observed on the 5th of June every year, and that in the current year the Government along with the Department of Forest have arranged around one lakh sapling for tree plantation and urged the people to stop deforestation and instead conserve the environment with plantation of trees for the betterment of the next generation.