CM pleads for garbage disposal awareness campaign

Panaji, Mar 31 (UNI) Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has called for joint efforts to bring about greater awareness among the people about garbage disposal to help government overcome the menace in the State.

Inaugurating a training and awareness programme on facilitating municipal solid waste management, organized by the TERI here in association with the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Margao Municipal Council today at Margao, Chief Minister expressed serious concern over the mounting garbage problem in the State.

The awareness campaign should also involve the GSPCB, local bodies and the Tata Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Mr Kamat said.

The government had, in a bid to find solution to the menace, identified sites for setting up of garbage treatment plants, one each at Colvale in North Goa and at Bendurde-Quepem in South Goa.

However, due to the opposition from the local populace, the projects could not materialize.

Regretting the people's tendency to oppose the projects and later raising a hue and cry, Mr Kamat said the Councillors should shoulder the responsibility of educating the people about garbage disposal.

Speaking on the occasion, GSPCB Chairman Dr L U Joshi stressed the need to create awareness on solid management particularly at the grass roots level. About 300 tonnes of garbage accumulates in Goa everyday and such programmes will help create more awareness not only in Margao but also in other Municipal areas in the State, he said.

The Centre, through Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Central Pollution Control Board, had funded an amount of Rs 8.22 lakh to GSPCB to conduct training and awareness programme on solid waste management in Margao.

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