Covering key-issues, the concerning new Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, a state-level workshop was organized here on Thursday.
The rules were notified on April 8 earlier, this year by the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry (MoEF&CC), which were in supersession of earlier rules on Municipal Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2000.
The one-day workshop was organized by HP State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB).
HP State Pollution Control Board chairman Kuldeep Singh Pathania delivered the inaugural address to the delegates and participants, which comprised national-level delegates and participants from the Department of Urban Development, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Nagar Panchayats, NGOs, Industrial associations and other stakeholders.
Highlighting poor civic sense and need for greater awareness among all stakeholders, he stated that the HPSPCB has started playing the role of facilitator instead of regulator.
Chief Secretary V C Pharka emphasized that HPSPCB should educate hoteliers and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) more and more about the implications of not properly managing the waste and organize seminars/workshops and facilitate the urban local bodies in due course of time.
He also advised to include peri-urban or semi-urban areas in the present scheme of things of SWM.
Renowned scientist Sharad P Kale, ex-scientist from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, delivered a detailed address on new technologies for effective solid waste management.
“We need to learn from our past and rich inheritance,” Kale said.