Monday, May 13, 2013

Gerethang GPU bans use of non-biodegradable use-and-throw utensils from official functions

GANGTOK, 09 May: A daylong workshop-cum-awareness programme on Zero Waste was held at the Gram Prashasan Kendra, Gerethang GPU in West Sikkim on 07 May, a press release informs. Significantly, at the end of the workshop, the GPU resolved to stop the use of use-and-throw, non-biodegradable items commonly used nowadays during social gatherings. In a move to give impetus to the zero waste mission, the Gerethang GPU passed a resolution banning the use of styro-foam (thermocol) and plastic plates, cups and spoons. What is more, they also pledged that these items will not be sold in any of the shops in the GPU’s jurisdiction. 
An official press release informs that the workshop, organized by the Sanitation Cell of the Rural Management & Development Department under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, for stakeholders from Yuksam-Gerethang and Tashiding-Arithang territories was attended by West Zilla Upadhakshya, Zilla Panchayat members, Panchayats, ADC-Development, RMDD field functionaries, representatives from NGOs and SHGs and residents of the area.
The workshop, which was held to generate awareness on garbage management aiming for zero waste status, included power-point presentations by Clover Organics, Dehradun, Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee, and Joint Secretary (Sanitation), RM&DD.
The Joint Secretary’s presentation laid stress on source segregation as a key component to successful garbage management in the villages. Once segregated, the degradable waste could be either composted at the household level or at the community level, for which the department has formulated a strategy of collecting, transporting and recovering the resources thus segregated by the residents.
All non-biodegradables could be stored and deposited through an established collection system at the Resource Recovery Centre to be built phase-wise in all the GPUs by the department. The Joint Secretary further invited the youth and NGOs to become part of the Zero Waste Himalaya-Sikkim Chapter, a movement which is gaining momentum in making the entire region waste free. The task for all GPUs would be to first aim at collectively making Sikkim the first zero waste State.
As mentioned, the workshop convinced the Gerethang GPU to pass a resolution banning the use of disposable use and throw which are as damaging for the environment as they are eyesores ruining the landscape with litter. They also pledged that these items would also not be sold in any of the shops in the GPU. 
An exhibition of reused and recycled products was also held and a site visit was made to the proposed Solid Waste sheds at Gerethang as well as Tashiding, the release informs.
A similar programme was also conducted on 08 May at Namthang BAC for the stakeholders of Namthang, Rabongla and a few other GPUs of south district.

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