Chandigarh, March 19: Today Mayor Mr. Kuldeep Kumar inaugurated a workshop on 'Solid Waste Management', at Hotel Metro, in Sector 35C, for better understanding and liaisoning between municipal sanitary inspectors and women representatives of various residents’ welfare associations associated with FOSWAC (Federation of Sectors Welfare Association of Chandigarh). This was jointly organized under the Government of India’s campaign of ‘LIFE-Lifestyle for Environment’, by Yuvsatta, Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration and FOSWAC and was sponsored by Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. And around 100 representatives of Residents Welfare Associations, Municipal Corporation staff and senior residents of the city attended the endeavour.

Prominent amongst those who addressed the gathering included Chandigarh AAP co-incharge Dr. S.S. Ahluwalia, Ms. Prem Lala, Municipal Councillor, Dr. Vinay Mohan, Medical Officer of Health, MC, Chandigarh, Mr. Baljinder Singh Bittoo, Chairman, FOSWAC, Dr. Rupali Jandrotia of Climate Action Cell of Department of Environment & Mr. Pramod Sharma, Founder, Yuvsatta.

In his welcome address Mr. Baljinder Singh Bittoo highlighted the issues of unregulated vendors, paying guest accommodations in sectors, villages and slum areas, who don’t segregate the waste and even at times throw the same in drainage systems of the city, which further aggravate the waste management issues with increasing number of rats and stray dogs in the city.

Dr. Vinay Mohan in his address emphasized on the need of adoption of mantra of four R’s of Refuse, Reduce, Reuse & Recycle for effective waste management at household levels, for which he suggested that dialogue, discussion and decision with involvement of all stakeholders, will make this city Chandigarh No. 1 in best waste management practices in the country.

Ms. Premlata highlighted the issue of non-cooperative attitude of safai-workers who at times abstain from collecting household waste from people living on first and second floors, which at times becomes difficult, especially for senior citizens to come down and dispose of their waste in the designated municipal vehicles.

Dr. SS Ahluwalia was of the view that for any effective municipal solid waste management the first mantra for success is ‘Planning for Community Involvement Initiatives’, to define a methodology for reaching out to the community. Informing and involving the community, as well as creating channels for all stakeholders to participate in making decisions and to voice their concerns.

Mayor Mr. Kuldeep Kumar in his address highlighted that he is committed to now only improve the present waste management system of the city but also to get rid of the present dumping ground at Daddumajra, which not only generate toxic gases but will also become cause of spread of deadly diseases due the foul smells and germs originating from the site.

In her concluding remarks Dr. Rupali Jandrotia shared that they at Climate Action Cell of Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration, will be holding more such interactions to bridge the gaps between various stakeholders, improve coordination and advocate best best waste management practices to make Chandigarh a smart city in spirit and action.