A two-day All India Seminar on “Solid Waste Management: Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future” commenced today at the Main Hall of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Porompat, Imphal East.

The seminar is being jointly organized by the Institution of Engineers (India), Manipur State Centre, in association with the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Department of MAHUD, Government of Manipur.

Inaugurating the programme as chief guest, Manipur University Vice Chancellor Prof. Lokendra Singh recalled that Imphal was once regarded as a model clean city in the early 1970s. However, he lamented that unchecked and unplanned urbanisation, along with encroachment of public property such as playgrounds, ponds, streets and natural drainage systems, has degraded the city’s environment.

“After Manipur attained statehood, the Government of India provided significant funds and resources. But in many developmental projects, construction began without proper landscape surveys. Coupled with encroachment of public land, these factors have turned Imphal into an overcrowded and unhygienic city,” he observed. Prof. Singh urged both authorities and citizens to take urgent steps to address the issue and suggested the inclusion of Solid Waste Management in academic syllabi to foster awareness and sustainable practices.

Guest of Honour, Dr. Tourangbam Brajakumar, Director of Environment and Climate Change, underscored the need to strictly enforce the ban on single-use plastics. He also proposed large-scale plantation of the state tree Uningthou as a measure to keep the environment clean and minimize plastic waste. Highlighting the alarming situation, he said that the 27 urban local bodies under Imphal’s jurisdiction generate huge volumes of household solid waste daily, of which only a small portion is collected by municipal bodies, while the rest contributes to severe environmental pollution.

“Every individual must take responsibility to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. Cleanliness cannot be achieved without public participation,” he stressed.

Director, MAHUD and IPR, Government of Manipur, Ngangom Uttam Singh, also attended as Guest of Honour, while Er. L. Swamikanta Singh, Chairman, IEI Manipur State Centre, presided over the function.

The seminar will continue tomorrow with technical sessions and discussions on innovative waste management strategies.