Imphal generates 130 metric tonnes of solid waste per day

Our Correspondent

Canchipur, Dec. 27 (EMN): The capital of Manipur generates 130 metric tonnes of solid waste per day on an average. A total of 188 metric tonnes was generated as on May 11, the highest in the current year, said Assistant Municipal Commissioner Dr. Samuel Moirangthem.

Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) is looking after solid waste management of more than 4 lakh population residing under 27 municipal wards including 20 wards in Imphal west district, seven in Imphal east district and three residential welfare associations, according to Assistant Municipal Commissioner Dr. Samuel Moirangthem of the IMC, he informed.

Moirangthem was speaking at a discourse on “Inclusive policies on waste management of Manipur” at the Manipur University campus on Friday, jointly organised by the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion & Inclusive Policy, MU, and Manipur Urban Development Agency (Muda).

The discourse was conducted to formulate an inclusive waste policy of the state and encourage evidence-based policy on an experimental basis besides formalising and integrating unorganised or unregistered waste collectors or rag-pickers by upgrading their skills.

It also aimed to make segregation by incentivising the concerned stakeholders, encourage waste management knowledge in the curriculum of educational institutions on a trial basis, and to educate residents to understand the process of waste management.

Muda’s Director Th Harikumar said that the state’s authority is preparing a draft policy for the management of waste including that of Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) area and 26 small towns. Most of the service providers have been facing various forms of challenges in their door to door collection and transportation to the state’s only existing (solid waste) treatment plant at Lamdeng due to lack of awareness among the masses and policy makers, said T Leikhendra of Centre for Research on Environmental Development.

Additional Chief Engineer L Swamikanta of the Public Health Engineering department (Rural Sanitation) spoke about the importance of conserving water resources and organising awareness on waste management.

Dr. Lucy O Shea of the Bath University, Dr. Rajkumari Sunita of the State Planning department and Waikhom Roshan of the Manipur Pollution Control Board gave presentations too.

Environment Deputy Director Dr. T Brajakumar also delivered a speech.