By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 18: ReFoam Meghalaya, an initiative of the Bharat Ingenuity Foundation and Croasis Research Group, has launched the first phase of its pilot programme in Sohra which aims to establish a community-driven waste management model tailored for remote tourist destinations.
Supported by Supreme Petrochem Limited, the programme commenced on March 16 with awareness sessions at the Cherra Teacher Training Centre, RKM Secondary School, and Dorbar Secondary School in Laitmawsiang. Engaging 157 students, the sessions focused on waste segregation at the source, self-composting, and the environmental impact of local waste management.
To encourage active participation, a dry waste collection competition was launched across the participating schools. Running until March 28, the competition requires students to collect and categorise waste, which the organising team will then analyse.
The data gathered from this exercise will inform the design of a long-term waste management system for Sohra. The school with the highest impact will be recognized at the program’s conclusion.
In a practical application of the program’s goals, over 60 students and teachers conducted a cleanliness drive on Wednesday at the Garden of Caves in Laitmawsiang. The effort resulted in the collection of 32 kilograms of waste, which will undergo further analysis to identify waste patterns at prominent tourist sites.
The pilot phase will officially conclude on March 30 with a closing event. Organisers will share key findings and data insights with stakeholders while recognising the efforts of the students and schools involved in the initiative.
