Post news network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 15: The guests who partook at the Swachh Bhubaneswar workshop Thursday discussed in great detail the methods to perfectly execute the ambitious Swachh Bharat scheme in the Capital.
One of the primary concerns at the seminar was cleanliness and sanitation in slum areas of the city. “To make the city hygienic, people who live in slums must stop defecating in the open and build toilets in their houses” with the money the government has been providing under the scheme, they said.
The venue for the event was Regional Museum of Natural History in Bhubaneswar and the guests who attended it were Mayor Ananta Naryan Jena, MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, Director of Centre for Environment and Development Pradeep Harichandan, and Chairman and Vice Chairman of Orissa Environment Congress DK Roy and BB Samanta among other dignitaries. Corporators, researchers and students also took an active part in the discussion.
MLA Mishra said, “Under the Swachh Bharat scheme, every family of every Panchayat get Rs 12,000 to construct toilets inside their houses. However, people continue to litter outside.
He added around one-third of the total population of Orissa live in slums in urban areas.
Pradeep Harichandan supported Mishra’s stand and added that in a survey done on the eve of World Toilet Day November 29 at slums Shantipalli, Jalimunda Sahi, Godam Sahi, Mahamangala Sahi, Sabara Sahi and a few other, his organisation found that most people living there defecate in the open. It was also found that they dumped their litters in places where the municipality vehicles could not reach to pick it.
The workshop was organised a few days before the 7th edition of the three-day Orissa Environment Congress (OEC) begins December 20.
This event is being organised by Centre for Environment and Development, Centre for Development Action and Research, Regional Museum of Natural History and Regional Centre for Development Cooperation in collaboration with Orissa State Water and Sanitation Mission. The theme for this year is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
OEC, began in 2010, had different themes every year. In its last edition, it was Environment, Health and Nutrition.
The winners of competitions like debate, poster-making, essay-writing and the likes organised to mark Swachh Bhubaneswar were given prizes here. 12 winners will take part in the Children’s Environment Congress at Xavier University, Bhubaneswar December 21.
