KATRA, AUGUST 17 - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board organised a workshop on Solid Waste Management at Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra today as part of awareness programme for Shrine Board officials, local administrators and major stakeholders of the area.
Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, in his keynote address, highlighted the crucial need of scientific solid waste management and the role and responsibilities of one and all in the protection of environment and ecology of the Katra town and the area around the Holy Shrine. In this context, he referred to the various measures which are being taken by the Shrine Board for solid and waste water management in a scientific manner. He informed that a number of reputed expert agencies in the country have been approached by the Shrine Board for putting in place most effective approaches and technologies for finding solutions to the solid waste management, particularly mule dung generated on the track. He added that the Shrine Board is also promoting in a big way the use of biodegradable materials for prasad pouches and for other packing material besides taking several other measures for effective solid waste management. He added that the Shrine Board has constructed a chain of Sewage Treatment Plants at various locations on the track, in the Shrine area and at its different establishments. He emphasised the need for putting in coordinated and concerted efforts by all the stakeholders for addressing the issue of solid waste management and other related matters in Katra town and the area around to secure the desired results expeditiously. He assured all possible support from the Shrine Board in these initiatives.
Dr. Lakshmi Raghupathy, former Director, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, in her expert and detailed presentation dwelt on the method of waste minimisation, segregation, handling, transportation, storage and disposal of solid waste. She spoke about various aspects of the solid waste management. She lauded the Shrine Board for an integrated waste management approach being adopted by it, adding that this being the most suitable and effective approach keeping in view the hilly terrain of the Shrine area. Dr. Raghupathy’s presentation was followed by a discussion on the available alternatives to polythene and their replicability in the present scenario of Katra during which she spoke about plastic waste management as well as alternatives to plastic.
Mr. Vasu Yadav, Member-Secretary, J&K State Pollution Control Board, spoke at length about the available legal framework in regard to solid waste management especially of Plastic Waste Management Rules, J&K Non-Biodegradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Act and Solid Waste Management Rules. He also spoke about the newly formulated ‘Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules’ at length. He gave details of the various rules, guidelines, circulars and laws related to the solid waste management as well as the well defined responsibilities of all the stakeholders in this context.
Mr. Ravinder Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, speaking on the occasion, gave details about the various measures which are being taken and those in the pipeline for ensuring most effective solid waste management to make Katra the most neat and clean town. He emphasised the role of all the stakeholders to achieve this objective.
Dr. Piyush Singla, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, informed about the aims and objectives of organising the workshop and added that such interactions of the stakeholders will go a long way in enlarging awareness about the solid waste management issues, particularly in the Katra town.
Mr. Amit Vermani, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB, conducted the proceedings of the workshop.
Among those who participated in the workshop included Dr. M. K. Kumar, Additional CEO of the Shrine Board; Mr. Jagdish Singh, SDM Bhawan; Ms. Neelam Khajuria, SDM, Katra; Mr. Sumir Kotwal, Additional SP, Katra; senior civil, police, Urban Local Bodies and Municipal Committee, Katra officers; prominent citizens, representatives of hospitality industry, trade and commerce, media persons and the concerned officers and officials of the Shrine Board.
The participants of the workshop also put forth several suggestions in regard to solid waste management in Katra town.
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