Goa Khabar : The Smart Waste Champion Awards were organised in Sankhali to honour schools and local bodies for their efforts in waste management. The initiative was conducted by the Mineral Foundation of Goa in collaboration with Sampurna Earth Environment Solutions, with support from Godrej Consumer Products Limited under its CSR programme.
The event was supported by the Goa Waste Management Corporation and the Goa State Pollution Control Board. Navdurga High School (Pale) and Unity High School (Valpoi) were awarded under the competition. Mhaushi, Harvalem, Parye and Davorli-Thane village panchayats, along with the Sankhali Municipal Council, were also honoured for their contribution to effective waste management.
Speaking on the occasion, Sankhali Municipal Council Chairperson Siddhi Parab said the council has emerged as a self-sustained body powered by solar energy and emphasised the need for greater public awareness on cleanliness. She highlighted the importance of educating citizens about the harmful effects of plastic and proposed stronger collaboration with panchayats to further strengthen waste management systems.
Addressing the gathering, Managing Director of the Goa Waste Management Corporation, Shri. Harish Adkonkar, described the initiative as a sustainable and model project for the state. He underlined the importance of continued community participation, particularly from Sankhali and Bicholim, and noted that such efforts align with ongoing cleanliness initiatives under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant.
Sharing insights on the initiative, Ahona Ghosh of Godrej Consumer Products Limited said India generates nearly 42 million tonnes of urban waste annually, making effective waste management increasingly critical. She added that seven community waste management projects have been implemented across 12 municipalities, with a focus on transparency and the “Waste to Worth” approach.
Project Officer of the Mineral Foundation of Goa, Parag Ranganekar, provided an overview of the initiative, which began in 2012 and expanded to 12 panchayats in 2018. Around 40,000 households are covered under a QR code-based system, managing 3.5 to 4 tonnes of waste daily. The project also included health camps, distribution of safety kits and outreach activities reaching thousands of citizens.
The initiative brought together government bodies, local institutions and community members, highlighting the importance of collective action and sustainable practices in waste management.
