Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, Punjab organised a one-day workshop on Solid Waste Management in Rural Areas for officials and social staff of various districts at MGSIPA, Chandigarh.Ms. Parneet Shergill IAS, Additional Secretary cum Mission Director SBM (G) addressed the participants, highlighting the importance of Solid Waste Management in rural areas and encouraged them to work actively for Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II. She further emphasized upon dissemination of key learnings received from the workshop and incorporate them in their respective districts.The objective of the workshop was to hone capacity of social staff of Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, Punjab on Solid Waste Management rules along with preparation of implementation of solid waste management, plastic waste management, e-waste management, biomedical waste management, Construction & Demolition(C & D) Waste Management, Faecal Sludge and Septage Management. The workshop was conducted and facilitated by M/s feedback foundation.Facilitator of the workshop Sh. Ajay Sinha addressed the participants through participative approach focusing on behaviour change communication and experiential learning.
The workshop revolved around understanding waste, evolution of solid waste management, behaviour change tools and techniques, key principles to create a zero-waste village. Along with briefing on technical aspects of waste management various tools and measures were discussed that shall support in waste segregation and reduction. Special focus was given on types of waste and origin of waste and way forward steps to be taken to manage the waste.The participants were also informed about on ground challenges and measures to resolve them through various approaches of social and behaviour change communication. Brief understanding on operation and management, funding pattern, recycling waste and septage management was given.The overall session was interactive and initiated with expectations of participants and addressing loopholes while implementing the SWM projects in rural areas. It was followed up by presentation by the participants and acknowledging queries of each through open discussion.At the end of the workshop the participants were highly encouraged through cross learning. Vote of thanks was given by Sh. RK Sharma,State Coordinator SBM(G) expressing gratitude towards Feedback foundation and experienced facilitator Sh. Ajay Sinha, CEO Feedback Foundation for giving his insights and nurturing the team.