From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, Nov 22: As Meghalaya continues to reel under severe waste management crises, the North Eastern Adventist University (NEAU), in collaboration with the Society of Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE) with the support of Swachh Bharat Mission Urban, Shillong, undertook the responsibility on themselves and conducted waste characterisation, in a bid to plan for reduction of waste, setting up of recycling programmes and conservation of money and resources.
The initiative took place at the University Campus, wherein the characterisation was conducted by volunteers of the university under the supervision of Wompher Shadap, Subject Capacity Building Specialist, SBM Urban PMU, Urban Affairs department, Sharon Syiem, MBA, Waste Management, and Shantilang Diengdoh, Infinity Solution, besides Niwanka Shylla, Banisha Lamar, Marleki Dhar and Isakani Susngi from SURE.
Shadap, while briefing the team, said that waste characterisation is necessary to help provide with the baseline of the kinds and amount of waste generated from the University.
Waste is a major problem not only in the state but also in the country; in fact, it is a challenge that the world at large is going to face. While in cities and towns of the state, the waste problem continues to grow day by day and the characterisation of the same, a scientific approach would help determine the kind of intervention that is needed for its management.
Job Kawlni, professor in charge of the initiative, said that the waste used for characterisation today was collected from the selected quarters, the different hostels, kitchens of the hostels, and the cafeterias.
Kawlni also said that the University decided to start the management of waste on the campus, and support for the same was also sought from the Jowai Municipal Board.
The project, which started with an awareness campaign on May 4, where Wompher Shadap of SBM, Urban Area, Shillong, and Dr HH Mohrmen, Secretary of SURE, were the resource persons.
The University then, under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Paul Bhaggyien, and supported by Dr Jemima M Marak, took a decision to embark on this important project with the support of the two partner organisations.
Dr HH Mohrmen said that part of the plan is to request a small waste recovery centre (WRC) at the University campus, and the management of the University is ready to allot a plot of land for the same.
He also said that SURE is very happy to partner with the University on this very important initiative, which is like a pilot project and could also serve as a model for other gated communities.