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IMPHAL — The Centre for Research on Environmental Development (CRED), a Manipur-based NGO, has been awarded the India Green Award 2023–24 for outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and sustainability practices in India.
The award, which is one of the most prominent environment awards in India, was handed over to the representatives of the CRED at an award distribution ceremony at Udaipur Labhgarh Palace in Rajasthan on January 11.
New Delhi-based Progression Global, a leading advocate for environmental stewardship and sustainability, organised the award distribution ceremony.
The prestigious event was attended by the founding chancellor of Rishihood University and former Union Minister, Suresh Prabhu, who was joined virtually by Professor at IIT Bombay, Dr. Chetan Singh Solanki.
The CRED’s secretary, Taorem Leikhendra; vice president, Longjam Hemchandra; and president, Pheiroijam Aryabarta, joined hands to do something to control environmental pollution in the state and started to work in 2004 by taking up the state’s solid waste management programme.
Initially, they began to serve around 5,000 households in Imphal when the Imphal Municipal Council initiated a privatisation programme on solid waste management in 2007.
Speaking to this reporter after receiving the award, Leikhendra said, “Now we’re serving around 8,000 households under eight municipal wards in the greater Imphal areas. We’ve also so far collected approximately 90 lakh tonnes of solid waste from households.”
Manipur generates around 290 metric tonnes of solid waste per day in the valley districts, as per 2018 reports.
“We are charging INR 200 per household (which includes Rs 50 for the self-help groups and local clubs) for the service. There are also 50 SHGs under CRED, which itself has as many as 40 staff,” he added.
It may be mentioned that in the initial stages, CRED collected solid waste using cycle rickshaws with different chambers for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and made vermicompost for the needy farmers and gardeners.
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