Port Blair, Dec 08: On Tuesday 05th December 2023, under the Cleanup Portblair campaign, Port Blair Municipal Council in collaboration with GIZ India organized a number of events in the Auditorium of PBMC. The objective of the events was to mobilize the community, institutions towards support in waste management activities and reduce the plastic uses in their daily routine, so that it may reduce the impact on marine and humans’ life.
The event started with a welcome song sung by the students of Govt. Boys Sr. Secondary School, Middle Point Port Blair and lightening of lamps. SE, PBMC welcomed the dignitaries and gathered & explained about the program objectives.
Mrs. S. Selvi Chairperson PBMC, Mr. Dilkhush Meena, Secretary PBMC, Mr. Christian Kapfensteiner, Director (SUID) GIZ India, Mr. Abhishek Bhukal, JS, PBMC & Member Secretary, ANPCC and Mr. Sebastian Markart, GIZ-India gave the certificate to Ummat Public School for their effort to make composting in school and to Km. Thamarai Selvi, student of Ummat Public School for the effort to make composting at their home. They appreciated the initiative of the school to engage the students in practicing crate composting in the school.
To reduce the use of plastics, management of waste generated in Durga Puja and to promote the Eco- Friendly Durga Puja Celebration, this year, 23 Durga puja committees were monitored by PBMC team in celebration of Eco-friendly Durga Puja. This year, Dollygunj Durga Puja Committee won the first Prize, Brookshabad Durga Puja Committee-2nd and the 3rd prize was shared by RK Mission and Junglighat along with Dugnabad Durga Puja Committee. Nayagaon Durga Puja Committee and Prem Nagar Durga Puja Committee got appreciation certificates for their efforts in making switching for sustainability during the puja. The remaining DPC’s have received the participation certificate. The dignitaries felicitated the prize winners and Participation for their efforts towards sustainability in celebrating Durga Puja in 2023.
Port Blair Municipal Council in collaboration with GIZ India developed the flip book and videos for orientation of school and to create awareness among the school and citizens. The officials of PBMC and GIZ released the flip book and video in the event.
Mr. Dilkhush Meena, Secretary, PBMC addressed the attendees for their support in waste segregation, appropriate disposal, and sustainable practices. He also requested the support of community and citizens in order to visible changes in the city and make the city hygienic, cleaner & green. The small efforts which made by Ummat Public School shall facilitate in brining behavioral change in the community. The flip book shall provide support to schools in organising orientation programme & creating awareness among the students in order to educate them with responsible and sustainable lifestyle practices.
Mr. Christian, GIZ -India said that Port Blair is an island city with its own vulnerabilities and unique challenges like scarcity of land, climatic uncertainties, influx of tourist population and many more and he is delighted to see the improved steps PBMC is taking toward solid waste management.
Mr. Abhishek Bhukal, JS, PBMC said that the initiative calls on people, groups, and organizations to actively engage in initiatives that advance environmental sustainability, cleanliness, and hygiene and ended the event with vote of thanks to dignitaries on the dais and specially students in the audience.
