UN-Habitat concluded the Inception Workshop with Mangaluru City Corporation
4 February 2021, New Delhi: According to a recent report published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India generates a total of 25,950 tonnes of plastic waste each day. If this waste is not managed properly, then it would continue to pollute our marine ecosystem, endangering the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on the marine environment and its resources.
Under the Waste Wise Cities (WWC) programme, UN-Habitat has developed the Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT), based on SDG indicator 11.6.1 parameters, to support cities and countries in undertaking a comprehensive diagnostic of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to aid scientific and evidence-based development of projects and investments. As part of the Waste Wise Cities, UN-Habitat is supporting cities in establishing better waste and resource management strategies, creating business and livelihood opportunities, and transiting towards a circular economy. In a project funded by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste INC, a non-for-profit entity WaCT is to be implemented by UN-Habitat, India office in the city of Mangaluru for assessing waste management status and develop project proposals to improve the management of plastic waste.
The project aims to help to implement solutions towards a circular economy, creating businesses and livelihood opportunities while enhancing resource recovery. To initiate the project an inception workshop was organised with Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) in presence of commissioner Mr Akshy Shridhar and other stakeholders from MCC, NGO’s, trader association on February 3rd 2021 at 11 am (IST).
Ms Parul Agrawal, Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat India mentioned about UN-Habitat mandate for SDG 11 and intention to continue work with local governments and keep UN-Habitat relevance by action on the ground. UN-Habitat works in India for sustainable cities with a focus on livelihood, social change and climate action. It looks forward to extending its support to MCC beyond the current engagements.
Commissioner Mangaluru, Mr Akshy Shridhar shared his vision to have a long-term solution for managing the plastic waste. 'MCC is keen to support interventions on plastic waste minimization and to device effective strategies on the ground for ensuring processing and channelization of plastics for recycling and other end-use by utilizing innovative approaches'. Mr. Shridhar added.
Ms Swati Singh Sambyal, Waste Management Specialist, UN-Habitat India office shared about the existing status of plastic waste management in India and shared project related interventions and expected timelines with stakeholders. 'UN-Habitat shall jointly work with officials of MCC and other relevant stakeholders to review and understand the challenges related to MSW/plastic waste management in Mangaluru. In order to map and assess waste flows, UN-Habitat team will conduct trainings and build capacity of local NGOs/volunteers on plastic waste assessment utilizing the WaCT', added Ms Sambyal.
Mr. Madhu S. Manohar, Environmental Engineer, MCC gave insights on the existing status of waste management in the city. ‘Mangaluru city generates 330-350 tonnes per day of municipal solid waste. Some of the major challenges related to waste management in the city includes lack of source segregation, increase in COVID related plastic waste and overuse of the landfill capacity. MCC intends to reclaim its landfill land and engage with stakeholders to achieve sustainable waste management system’, Mr. Manohar added.
The inception workshop ended with closing remarks by Mr. Jogesh Arora, Programme Specialist, UN-Habitat India emphasizing on strengthening relation with MCC through this project and building up a positive work relation with the city co-operation by achieving the expected deliverables under this project.