the goan I network
VASCO
In an innovative concept to inculcate the need to minimise plastic among students, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes on Friday encouraged students to make paper bags which could be picked up by MMC and distributed to vendors during Saptah.
Fernandes was addressing a waste management training seminar organised by the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) in association with MMC, the ADEI’s Office Vasco and Rotary Club Vasco at the St Andrew’s Hall, Vasco.
About 75 teachers participated in the seminar and the training session was conducted by Saiel Kamat from the GWMC. Deputy Director at Institute of Maritime Studies Dipak Shah was the guest speaker, while Fernandes was the chief guest.
Fernandes said the seminar was conducted for teachers as they are role models to their students and could bring about a change through their students.
“A teacher has a great impact on a child’s social development. The MMA has adopted the theme “Vasco Plastic Free Mission” and we want the support of every teacher to achieve this goal. We cannot stop plastic in one shot, but we can definitely reduce it. We can refuse, reduce and reuse plastic,” said Fernandes.
“I appeal to schools, PTAs, consumer welfare clubs, nature clubs and eco clubs to join hands to take this year’s theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” forward. We will shortly celebrate the Lord Damodar festival Saptah in Vasco and I want to make it plastic-free. Let’s make all schools plastic-free during all festivals,” said Fernandes.
“I have a target of 15,000 paper bags and I request heads of all schools to take up the ‘Wealth out of Waste’ project and prepare 1,000 paper bags each and give them to me. Schools will be awarded prizes for the best paper bags and consolation prizes to all participating schools,” said the MMC chief officer.
Dipak Shah also spoke on the need to reuse, recycle and reduce plastics.
“Each one should carry his or her own cloth bag and not take any plastic bag from the market. Teachers should inculcate in the children curiosity, empathy and respect towards municipal workers. We must think innovation and use it as a business opportunity. We need to be careful when purchasing any item and check if its disposal is easy.”
“Each one of us has to be vigilant and not depend solely on the municipal agencies. Composting should be done for wet waste,” said Shah.
Mormugao ADEI David Noronha later proposed the vote of thanks.
