Lachen strengthens Zero Waste initiative

GANGTOK, 22 Dec: Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan [NBA] cell of Rural Management & Development Department [RMDD] organised a programme on 20 December with the aim to accelerate the Zero Waste initiative already in place in Lachen.
A press release informs that the programme, under the Solid Waste Management component of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan being implemented by RMDD, had the participation of all stakeholders of Lachen viz. hoteliers, shop owners, representatives of Households, NGOs, the Pipon and members of Lachen Tourism Development Corporation [LTDC].
The programme was attended by Joint Secretary [NBA], Deputy Secretary [NBA], ADC-Development, GVA (Chungthang) and other field functionaries.
The RMDD has put in place a Resource Recovery Centre [a collection centre for storing all the segregated non-degradable waste], two waste bins for all households and shops for sorting and collecting non-degradable waste and also a component to impart regular awareness programmes to make the initiative sustainable. Simultaneously, the Department will support a group of educated unemployed already identified, to undergo skill development training on making saleable items [baskets, storage boxes, dustbins etc] from the collected waste at the Resource Recovery Centre, it is informed.
Further, shredding equipments are also being provided by the Department to be used for shredding the collected material at the RRC, which would bring down the volume of collected waste and compact it to a large extent. The remaining saleable items [tins, glass bottles etc.] will be sold to a scrap dealer already identified from Chungthang.
It may be noted that in a remarkable decision the Dzumsa has imposed a ban on bottled water in Lachen, thereby reducing waste to a great degree, it is mentioned. This move reiterates their commitment to Zero Waste in true spirit because alternatively, the LTDC has brought about installation of water filters in all the hotels and shops. The LTDC further arranges for getting the three water sources tested every six months at the RMDD State Water Quality Testing Lab at Tadong.
The RMDD officials also inspected household and community toilets in Lachen and en route in Tingchim, Kabi and Mangan, it is further added.