Sri Vijaya Puram, July 28:The Andaman & Nicobar Pollution Control Committee (ANPCC), Department of Science & Technology, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, in association with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, inaugurated the two-day UT-Level Master Trainer Capacity Building Workshop on Operationalising Solid Waste Management and Plastic Waste Management at the Training Hall of the Directorate of Disaster Management, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The workshop is being conducted under Phase-II of the India–Norway Marine Pollution Initiative (INMPI) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India. The initiative is aimed at enhancing institutional and technical capacities for the effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended.
The inaugural session was graced by the chief guest, Dr. Sachin Shinde, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Science & Technology, in the presence of the guest of honour, Shri Rajanish Kumar Singh, IAS, Secretary, Science & Technology, and Shri Rakesh Das, Director, Science & Technology and Joint Secretary, Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC). Padma Shri awardee Ms. Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), addressed the participants virtually, while Shri Atin Biswas, Programme Director, CSE, along with the CSE team, participated in person. The inaugural programme was also live-streamed through the SOVTECH YouTube channel.
The workshop witnessed the participation of around 63 representatives from 23 stakeholder organisations, comprising Government Departments, District Administrations, Urban and Rural Local Bodies, Bulk Waste Generators, operators of waste processing facilities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Technical sessions on the first day focused on key aspects of solid and plastic waste management, including source segregation, waste characterisation, Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), compliance requirements for Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs), and sustainable waste management practices. The programme also included practical field exercises to provide participants with hands-on exposure to best practices in waste management.
The capacity-building programme is intended to develop a cadre of UT-level Master Trainers who will facilitate knowledge dissemination, provide technical support, and promote coordinated implementation of waste management regulations across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
