Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated a three-day conference organized by the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) at the Auditorium Hall, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Saligao, Bardez. The objective of the conference is to showcase the State-of-the-Art Infrastructure facilities and initiatives in Solid Waste Management and Sewage Waste Management, in addition to sharing experiences on the subject of Waste Management challenges in larger public interest. Delegates from different states across country are the part of this conference.
In his inaugural address, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant announced the upcoming collaboration between GWMC, Goa Institution of Management, and Goa Institute of Public Administration & Rural Development to establish a Waste Management Institution. Emphasizing the importance of waste management awareness and segregation starting at home, he lauded the realization of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Swacch Bharat.
Shri. Atanasio Monserrate, Minister for Waste Management & Vice Chairman, GWMC, highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive waste management system covering collection, transportation, segregation, recycling, and disposal. He commended GWMC’s commendable efforts since its inception and underscored the conference as a potential solution for local bodies to plan solid waste resource management effectively, working towards the goal of becoming a zero-waste State.
Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India, stressed the importance of people’s participation in achieving a zero-waste country and advocated for a shift in the public mindset towards waste management and segregation.
Dr. Sharad Kale, Former Scientist, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, shared valuable experiences and insights on the subject during the conference.
Dr. Levinson Martins, Managing Director, GWMC, welcomed the guests, providing insights into Goa’s waste management facilities and plants.
Dignitaries present at the inauguration included Shri. Mahesh Patil, Chairman, Goa Pollution Control Board; Shri Ramesh Verma, IAS, CEO, Election; Shri. Nivruthi Parsekar, Managing Director, SIDCGL; Shri Vinod Kumar, Chairman, MPT.
Shri Sujeet Dongre, Centre for Environment Education, served as the compere for the event, while Shri Pradeep Sarmukadam, Member Secretary, Goa Biodiversity Board, proposed the vote of thanks.
The three-day conference promises to be a crucial platform for participants to strategize and implement effective solid waste resource management within their respective local bodies, reaffirming their commitment to achieve the vision of a zero-waste State.
