NGO’s to adopt 1 ward each in SMB area to spread awareness & make Silchar garbage-free

Dec. 17: Silchar Municipal Board (SMB) and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) along with other line departments jointly organised a meeting with all leading NGOs of Cachar District at the conference hall of Silchar Municipal Board here on Thursday. The meeting was presided over by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DDMA and Executive Officer, Silchar Municipal Board, Jessica Lalsim.

In the meeting, a threadbare discussion was held regarding the issues of urban flood mitigation, door to door garbage collection and scientific waste management in all wards of Silchar town. A total of around 68 NGOs participated in the meeting. A threadbare discussion took place focusing on the fact that every year, inhabitants of Silchar town suffers a lot due to urban flood. It was discussed that the unplanned growth of the town, mismanaged drainage channels, unscientific waste management and lack of consciousness among the local public has cumulatively lead to the problem.

It was also pointed out that unplanned growth and encroachment over town’s wet lands and filling up of silt in the wet lands resulted in artificial flooding without access to proper drainage. Poor drainage system, overcrowding and lack of coordination between different government departments during the construction of houses have also contributed to the problem of stagnant water. It was also highlighted that though door to door waste collection is also in progress, but it is not receiving cent percent support from the general public. It was observed that a holistic approach needs to be adopted to make the town garbage free and also to overcome the problem of urban flood mitigation.

It was pointed out that with a view to generate large extent of awareness amongst the general public at the community level, NGOs needs to play a pivotal role. In the meeting all the NGOs were requested to work hand in hand with District Administration, Cachar, Silchar Municipal Board and District Disaster Management Authority to sort out the issues at the earliest.

Moreover, each of these NGOs were asked to adopt atleast a single ward from the 28 wards under Silchar Municipal Board and take the responsibility of looking after all issues of that area, such as, door to door garbage collection, clogged drains, unscientific waste management, absence of proper drainage channels etc. They were also asked to work as torch bearers at the community level to make Silchar town clean, garbage free and free from urban flood.

Sharing her reaction, Jessica Rose Lalsim expressed gratitude to the NGOs for their positive response. “I am thankful to the NGOs for their response. This is an auspicious sign that our goal to make Silchar flood free and garbage free can be a reality,” she said. Lalsim also highlighted the importance of keeping drains and sewerage channels clean to ensure smooth flow of water. She urged the NGOs to adopt a municipal ward of their choice and ensure proper garbage collection and their management. The meeting concluded with the emphasis on the fact that entire aspect should be undertaken with ‘Change in behaviour’ approach, where effort and involvement should be there from each and every corner.