Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 319/16

WORKSHOP ON SOLID AND LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT HELD

A day long Workshop on Solid and Liquid Waste Management for Municipalities and other stakeholders under Swachh Bharat Mission was held today at Circuit House, Tura. The workshop was organized by the Directorate of Urban Affairs, Government of Meghalaya. Speaking on the occasion Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District, Mr. Pravin Bakshi highlighted different issues relating to the proper waste disposal and effective waste management system in the districts of Garo Hills. Expressing his concern especially for the town areas which lags behind in parameters related to maintenance of health and hygiene he opined that in villages people are clean by nature and requires to follow few guidelines for systematic or scientific disposal of waste and further called upon every citizen to move forward with participative approach for better management of waste in our region.

While sharing the experiences of involving community participation in Shillong waste management project Mr. B. Dutta, Director, Urban Affairs Department said that intensive community mobilization strategy was necessary in order to make the project a successful one. Further, he informed that the main objective of organizing this workshop is to supervise different programs undertaken by Swachh Bharat Mission in the district which is being monitored every fortnight by Prime Minister’s office with the state government. Another important issue concerning the workshop is about the Orders and Judgment issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on liquid and solid waste management, he added.

Earlier in the programme, Mr. E. Syiem, Environmental Expert, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) presented a brief highlight about the importance of the newly formulated Acts and Rules on waste management which needs to be followed strictly by the municipal boards. Mr. Paul Loko, Social Mobilisation Expert, State Investment Programme Management and Implementation Unit (SIPMIU), Shillong, while deliberating on the topic “Public Awareness and Community Participation in Waste Management” stated that community participation is the key to success in the implementation of waste management. During the day long programme, sessions on “Technology options for solid and liquid waste processing and disposal” by Mr. D Syiem, Environmental Expert, CBUD, “Environmental Aspects in Waste management and disposal” by Mr. L Lyngdoh, Assistant Environmental Expert, SIPMIU, Shillong while “Waste to Wealth and Bio-remediation” was explained by Mr. A Jain, Consultant, Eco-Pro Environmental Services, Delhi. Mr. Donbosh Sangma, Chairman, Tura Municipal Board (TMB), Ms. S B Marak, Chief Executive officer, TMB, Sunil Jain from Sheetal Company, Delhi, representatives of Municipal Boards from Williamnagar, Resubelpara, Baghmara, representatives of Traders union, various NGO’s were amongst others present at the programme.

Press Release No. 321/16

ROOF TOP RAIN WATER HARVESTING PROJECT INAUGURATED AT MAWKYRWAT

The Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Rowell Lyngdoh today unveiled the tablet to mark the inauguration of the Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting Project at Sngap Syiem College Girls’ Hostel, Mawlangwir, Mawkyrwat in the presence of Smti R. Lyngdoh, Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat and other distinguished guests. The programme was organized by the office of the Divisional Soil & Water Conservation Officer, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rowell Lyngdoh said that the Project was constructed at the cost of seven lacs and the major cost involves underground tank which holds about ninety thousand litres which is filtered and pumped to the water storage that can store about 8 thousand litres of water. He hopes that this structure will cater to the needs of the hostellers to meet their daily requirements especially during dry seasons. He said that its high time that one should realize the value of water thereby stressing on the needs and importance of proper utilization of water so as to make it sustainable. He then called upon one and all to preserve Surface and Underground water by conserving forest in order to retain water for future sustenance. In her speech, Smti R. Lyngdoh, Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills District said that this is the second project in the district. She also informed that the same project will be implemented soon in several government institutions of the district such as Deputy Commissioner’s office, Public Health Centre, Mawthawpdah and in the District Medical & Health Office, Mawkyrwat. She calls for preservation of underground water and at the same time inspired one and all to try Rain Water Harvesting in their homes and to contribute something towards water preservation. Shri O. T. Lyngwa, Divisional Soil& Water Conservation Officer, Mawkyrwat gave a brief report on the project. Dr. S.S. Khongkliam, Principal, Sngap Syiem College chaired the function. Earlier, Shri K.S. Pale, Assistant Soil& Water Conservation Officer delivered the welcome address while Shri K.S. Kharshiing, Junior Engineer, Soil & Water Conservation, Mawkyrwat offered the vote of thanks.