First session on solid waste management n post much session on Swachta Technologies and Alternatives – Opportunities and Challenges held at Dehradun inaugurated by Governor (R) Lt Genl Gurmeet Singh

First of its kind, Doon Swachhta Chaupal, started at Army Ground, Garhi Cantt, Dehradun today, February 3, 2023.

The summit on waste management, technology and circularity had public representatives and officials from districts as far as Pithoragarh, Almora, Bageshwar, Uttarkashi, Tehri as well as pan-India companies showcasing their innovations in waste management and recycling.

The inaugural session was chaired by the Chief Guest, Governor Uttarakhand, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh: PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM (Retired), with Shri Ajay Sharma, Director General – Defence Estates, as Guest of Honour. Also gracing the panel were Brig Anirban Datta, Sena Medal and Station Commander and President Cantonment Board Dehradun/Landour; Shri D N Yadav, Deputy Director General, Directorate General Defence Estates; Shri Abhinav Singh, CEO Dehradun Cantonment Board; Shri Navneet Pande, Director Urban Development Directorate, Uttarakhand; and Anoop Nautiyal, Founder, Social Development for Communities Foundation.

Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retired) addressed the audience and welcomed such an initiative and stressed upon how cleanliness is next to godliness. He congratulated the Doon Cantonment for its various swachhta initiatives like recycling plastic waste. He also underlined the fact that since Uttarakhand is gaining greater popularity as a tourism and pilgrimage place, it needs to ensure that the state is clean and welcoming. “”The change is palpable in the way so many companies have come to showcase their products and services in the field of waste management. We are changing and we are all committed to a Swachh Bharat,” he said, congratulating the 51 companies and start ups that have taken part in the exhibition. Guest of Honour Shri Ajay Sharma called upon everyone to take an oath of solidarity in the fight against plastic waste and waste management.

The first session was on Solid Waste Management in Uttarakhand. The highly interactive session had the panelists discussing the importance of segregation at source, sensitisation and awareness and discipline, when it comes to waste management. The session was followed by a robust question and answer session where civic body representatives of far-flung districts took active part.

The post-lunch session was on Swachhta Technologies and Alternatives: Opportunities and Challenges. The panelists highlighted the importance of technology in the lives of Swachhta workers and how patience is key to working in the area.

They were also optimistic that the field of waste management will open up even more in the years to come, creating more opportunities for companies to join the Swachh Bharat story.

Several well known national organizations like NEPRA, Aterro, Recykal, Sahaas and prominent start ups like Pad Care, Spruce Up and Shyana are participating in the Chaupal. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had recently made a mention of Uttarakhand based e waste recycler Aterro referring to its patented technology.

PM Modi had earlier spoken about Araj Fashion as well in his Man Ki Bat address to the nation. Several start ups present at the Chaupal are recognised by Central Government and have received funding with their participation in the Shark Tank India program. Staff members of Cantt Board, students of colleges and a large number of officials were present in large numbers in the Chaupal.