IIM Shillong hosts Roundtable Discussion on Sustainable Waste Management

The roundtable concluded with a strong commitment to collaborative efforts in addressing Shillong’s waste management challenges. Participants stressed that integrating innovative solutions with community-driven approaches and policy support will be essential for creating a cleaner, more sustainable Shillong.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong recently organized a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities in waste management in the region. The event, organized by the Northeast Centre for Community Impact and Engagement (NE-CCIE), brought together key stakeholders including the Meghalaya Institute of Governance, Bethany Society, OCU, and Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong Nongthymmai Pyllun. The focus of the discussion was on developing sustainable waste management practices for Shillong.

The event was inaugurated by Professor D P Goyal, Director of IIM Shillong, who welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of collaboration between academic institutions, government bodies, and local communities in addressing waste management challenges in urban areas. Professor Goyal highlighted the role of education and collaboration in creating long-term solutions for waste management.

Col. Dinesh Adhikari, Chief Administrative Officer of IIM Shillong, presented the institution’s best practices in waste management. He shared innovative measures adopted by IIM Shillong to reduce waste, promote sustainability on campus, and encourage environmental responsibility among students and staff. His presentation emphasized the significant role educational institutions can play in fostering sustainability.

The roundtable discussion was moderated by Dr. Teidorlang Lyngdoh, Chair of NE-CCIE, who guided the deliberations and ensured that all participants contributed meaningfully to the conversation. Dr. Lyngdoh emphasized the importance of creating solutions that are both sustainable and community-centric.

Innovative Approaches to Waste Management

The discussion explored a range of innovative approaches to tackle the city’s growing waste management challenges, driven by rapid urbanization and population growth. Key topics discussed included:

1. Waste Segregation and Public Awareness
   Participants stressed the importance of educating the community on waste segregation at the source. Proposals included introducing labeled bins for organic and non-organic waste and launching community-targeted awareness campaigns to increase participation in waste management efforts.

2. Water ATMs for Clean Drinking Water
   To reduce dependency on single-use plastic bottles, participants proposed the installation of water ATMs in strategic locations across the city. This initiative aims to provide clean drinking water while addressing environmental and public health concerns.

3. Community-Driven Solutions
   Encouraging local communities to take responsibility for waste management was a key theme. Participants discussed training local youth to lead waste management initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership and creating employment opportunities.

4. Stewardship of Rivers
   The importance of river stewardship was highlighted, with discussions on engaging communities residing near riverbanks in preserving and managing river ecosystems. This includes reducing pollution, managing waste near water sources, and restoring ecological balance.

5. Recycling and Repurposing Waste
   Establishing recycling centers and composting facilities was discussed as a way to repurpose non-biodegradable waste for energy generation and other uses, while turning organic waste into compost.

6. Promoting Commercialization of Waste Management
   The potential to commercialize waste management practices was explored, including turning waste into economic resources. This would help address environmental challenges while creating meaningful employment opportunities through models for recycling and upcycling.

7. Supportive Government Policies
   The roundtable participants highlighted the need for government support, particularly in the form of infrastructure, policies, and incentives for waste segregation, recycling, and eco-friendly initiatives.

8. Pilot Projects and Data Collection
   Participants proposed launching pilot projects in select areas to refine waste segregation systems. These projects would help collect data on waste generation patterns and tailor solutions for both urban and rural areas in Shillong.

9. Collaboration with NGOs and Experts
   The importance of partnerships with environmental organizations and local NGOs, such as Bethany Society and Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong Nongthymmai Pyllun, was emphasized. Collaborative efforts would be essential for implementing community-based waste management programs, including training on waste recovery and segregation.

Commitment to Collaborative Efforts

The roundtable concluded with a strong commitment to collaborative efforts in addressing Shillong’s waste management challenges. Participants stressed that integrating innovative solutions with community-driven approaches and policy support will be essential for creating a cleaner, more sustainable Shillong. The discussions laid the foundation for future action plans, with a focus on sustainability and community involvement in waste management.

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