Smart waste segregation drive from today, Nov 3

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 03, 2016: NICO, Nitte Institute of Communication,  in association with MCC, Mangaluru City Corporation  and Green Brigade, are set to launch a ’Smart’ awareness drive on segregation of waste in Mangaluru from today November 3.

Nitte University Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Prof Raviraj told media "We are to start a process with students and young adults. It is not a day’s event. It is a campaign to raise awareness towards better management of waste in Mangaluru."

He said that the campaign includes performances, talks, planting drives, games, poster making competition along with a range of efforts to bring attention to the issue. The events are designed to educate the public about segregation at source, which is the post important aspect of waste management. The MCC recently launched a policy on waste segregation, which is going to be one of the major areas of focus as citizen participation is crucial for its successful implementation. The drive seeks to inform the public about different kinds of segregation of waste as biodegradable and non-biodegradable, liquid and solid categories and the necessity of segregation.

The NICO students will stage skits on waste segregation at the district prison, railway station, Sultan Battery, district court and Bengre community hall. The same skit will be performed at various schools and colleges. The campaign aims to reach out to Mangaluru citizens by holding fun games at malls and public places in the city.

Entrepreneur and environmentalist Jeeth Milan Roche, of Morgan’s gate  said that he has been working towards converting the landfill site at Pacchanady into a green belt.

The landfill area has just about three feet of mud, beneath which is plastic and other waste. "I see all sorts of waste being dumped into the landfill site for a while now. Mangaluru city generates more than 300 tonnes of waste daily and almost 85% of it is dumped into the site," Jeeth said, and added that proper solid waste management will open doors to a cleaner and healthier environment.  "A smart city needs a smarter waste management system," he insisted.

NICO Assistant Professor Laxmi Shenoy said that, as part of the campaign, a poster competition is organised to give an idea on how to segregate the waste. Around 2 lakh copies of the best poster will be printed and distributed among the households in Mangaluru.  The top three winners of the competition will get Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.

The entries for the poster competition should reach Laxmi Shenoy, Staff Convenor, nicobrigade@gmail.com on or before November 25. Interested people may contact the staff convenor on 9986967371.