In view of a clean, green,
garbage free Goa
Why do we need discussions on such
topics like the Garbage problems in Goa?
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Few months earlier, Herald teamed up
with Drishti Lifesaving
services to
solve one portion of the garbage problem in Goa. This was done by going around
cities and towns cleaning the locations of the pictures that were sent to us by
the public. People responded immediately and a lot of work was in
progress. Together, the Herald-Drishti initiative covered major places like
Margao, Sancoale and the Goa University. We were indeed also blessed in having
more people from organizations like Banglanatak dot com join
us and the staff of Goa University. However, as much as we tried, the waste
simply showed up back on the streets. Therefore, discussion with intellectual
and likeminded people is necessary in the hour of need; this will help Goa find
solutions to such garbage problems.
All this while, we at Herald were
reporting stories, conducting investigations and forming opinions, constantly
conversing with readers, stakeholders and game-changers, all of whom have a
better Goa as their goal and mission. However, bringing in mind that all of
this cannot happen through what is written and telecast; Goa needs to study and
get solutions that can have a large impact on the Garbage problems. There
are many stakeholders, organisations and agencies, but there is no much
littering on the streets that cleaning agencies are unable to cope. Meanwhile
in bigger towns, barring a few notable exceptions, councils and corporations,
as well as in villages have not yet managed to set up a mechanism to collect
segregated garbage.
In order to find a way, it’s time to
plan well. The age-old concept of wise men of the village gathering under the
banyan tree to deliberate on issues manifests itself in this age in the form of
workshops and panel discussions. In order to discuss all this with a view to
formulating a road map, Herald in association with ICG Goa is organising , ‘A
Ear to the Ground’ Seminar on Saturday.
Bear in mind that the scrap may be on
the road. But it needs to get out of your mind.
Box:
The topic of the Seminar focuses on
‘Waste: Can we get rid of it and make Goa healthy and wealthy?’
Under this broad umbrella topic,
there will be discussions under three sub-topics, each for 30 minutes of
discussion, and a 15 minutes Question-Answer round (45 minutes). The subtopics
are ‘Failure to segregate: the bane of the waste management crisis in
Sonsoddo and elsewhere. Lessons to be learned’, ‘Home remedies and change in
peoples habits’, and ‘How garbage affects tourism: Efforts of the tourism
department to control waste management in the coastal belt’.
The event is open to all those
interested in contributing ideas and getting new knowledge on how to improve
the waste problem in Goa. This will be a step forward towards garbage-free and
clean Goa.
