Tura, October 2: Garo Hills joined India’s grand celebrations of Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024 in a unique manner- opening of a first of its kind Plastic Waste Management Unit at Selbalgre Village under Rongram Community and Rural Development Block, 21 kms from Tura on Wednesday.
Meghalaya Speaker Thomas A Sangma inaugurated the waste management unit, reminding about the unique ways of the tribals who follow a tradition of maintaining cleanliness around their surroundings.
He, however lamented that of late, the use of plastics and modern readymade amenities easily available in the market have resulted in the environment getting polluted, and the need of the hour is a course correction.
Pointing out the lack of civic sense in many areas, Thomas Sangma said that people tend to throw their waste haphazardly which makes it challenging for municipal workers to segregate the waste. He urged citizens to do their part in ensuring segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste at the base itself- which is in their households.
The speaker expressed optimism that the installation of this one of a kind plastic waste management unit would help to collect, process and recycle plastic waste in a proper manner.
Sangma also highlighted that many different schemes to maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene are being implemented in the region such as the good practice of open defecation free and other sanitation schemes including waste segregation and proper disposal of solid and liquid waste, etc for the benefit of the people in the area. He then called upon everyone to inculcate good habits and make this earth livable for generations in future.
Delivering the keynote address SE, (PHE) cum Member Secretary, DSBMG, West Garo Hills, Tura Ambrose D Sangma informed that Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign was launched on September 17, 2024 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission across the country organizing cleanliness drives, etc and the campaign culminates by observing Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2nd October, 2024. He further mentioned that Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi had launched Swachh Bharat Mission on 2nd October, 2014 and added that the cleanliness drive is being conducted every year in the district and urged everyone to continue to maintain cleanliness in our everyday lives.
