Stakeholder’s consultation workshop on “Synergies for Sustainable Cities: Identifying Collaborative Actions to Mitigate Waste Management Issues” in Guwahati

On 26/09/2023, at The Lily hotel in Guwahati, Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) under the ‘Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project’ (LLBCP) has organised a stakeholder’s consultation workshop on “Synergies for Sustainable Cities: Identifying Collaborative Actions to Mitigate Waste Management Issues”. One of the major threats identified for the degradation of the Deepor Beel ecosystem is the waste disposal in the form of municipal solid waste at the dumping ground very adjacent to the Deepor Beel and sewerage of the greater Guwahati falling into the Deepor Beel through Pamohi river. This workshop aims in building in synergies among the relevant stakeholders and identifying collaborative action to address the issue and look for solutions. The role of each stakeholder on the Waste Management of Guwahati City has also been discussed during the workshop. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary Environment and Forests ,Govt. of Assam was the Chief Guest for the Workshop, in his speech mentioned that the preservation of the lake can only be achieved through a holistic approach and with the participation of all the stakeholders who are directly or indirectly involved in the management of this wetland and also who are influencing the land use and land cover of the wetland he also mentioned about the importance of Nature based solution like bioremediation for sustainable management of the wetland. Dr. Satyendra Singh, IFS, Addl. PCCF, Environment and Forests Department, Govt. of Assam was the Guest of Honor for the workshop. In his keynote speech Dr. Singh spoke on the importance of wetlands for restoration of the environment. He mentioned about three SDG goals related to the wetlands, He spoke on the issue of siltation in the beel due to city sewerage coming through the inlet of Pamohi channel to Deepor Beel, he also highlighted the pollution from the godowns and other commercial establishment. 1st expert speaker, Professor Punyasloke Bhadury IISER Kolkota spoke on the topics “Microbiome assisted remediation of contaminated aquatic ecosystems-action plan for Pamohi River”. Second expert speaker Dr. Narayan Sharma, Cotton University, spoke on the Effects of open waste disposal on biodiversity and human health.

Govt. Departments which also delivered talk during the event were Senior Scientist ‘F’ from Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change , Govt of India, Sub Office Guwahati presented on the topic ‘Environmental standards, Conservation of Wetlands and protection of Deepor Beel, representative from Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority, presented on ‘Regulatory frame work for water bodies”, Representative from Pollution Control Board of Assam presented on the “Status of waste management in Guwahati City; issues and way forward, representative from Water Resource Department presented on ‘Exploring possibilities for sustainable development of Deeporbeel’, NGO member present were from The Corbett Foundation, Earthful Foundation and others. GIZ representative presented on the topic ‘Developing an integrated management plan for Deepor Beel, Sharing NERAQ experience’. Greenovo Ecosolutions, presented on “Waste to wealth”, representative from Midway Journey presented on ‘Holistic approach on mitigating waste management issues citing examples of proper source segregation and its impact. Local Community Members of Deepor Beel took active part in the discussion and highlighted the issues of Deepor beel which are related to the pollution coming from the garbage disposal site and also from the city sewerage through Pamohi. To show a sense of gratitude to the informal sector workers involved in waste segregation a few members were felicitated with a few pair of boots and hand gloves during the workshop. Students and faculty members from Pandu College and Cotton University, took an active part during the discussion. Students and faculty from Gauhati University also participated in the conference.