Environment friendly project launched at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi, June 21 (UNI) 'Project Roshini'--an initiative of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil aimed at making the Raisina Hills estate greener, cleaner and more eco-friendly--was launched today at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Launching the first phase of the project, Solid Waste Management, Dr Christy Fernandes, Secretary to President, said, ''We all have to implement lofty ideas of environment conservation at individual level for positive results.'' ''This project will not remain confined to Rashtrapati Bhavan but will serve as a model for the entire nation to emulate,'' he said.

Dr Fernandes suggested that the concept of environment conservation should be introduced in school curriculum to inculcate the spirit of environment conservation at an early age among children.

New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) Medical Officer Dr P K Sharma outlined the first stage of the project. He said the basic principle of the first stage would be --reduce, recycle and reuse-- solid waste rendering the environment cleaner and greener.

He said it would be implemented in offices, residential areas and markets.

Waste would be separated between biodegradable and non-biodegradable matter, which would be further separated into recyclable and inert matter. The inert matter, comprising only 20 per cent of the waste would be disposed of, however, the former would be put to use again, he said.

Dr Sharma said the Integrated Waste Management Plant (IWMP)--to recycle huge amounts of waste after collection from the city--will be operational in a year's time.

He said individual households would be trained in segregating organic and non-biodegradable waste. The organic manure thus generated would be used in the President's Garden. The waste generated would also be converted into vermi-compost, he said.

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