Tura, October 2, 2024: Meghalaya Speaker, Thomas A Sangma inaugurated the Plastic Waste Management Unit at Selbalgre Village under Rongram Community and Rural Development Block today in the presence of SDO (Sardar), West Garo Hills, Tura Manish Kumar, Block Development Officer, Rongram C & RD Block, Cherime Sangma, Vice-Chairman of Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL) and President NPYF Dabo Mrong Marak, SE, Ambrose D Sangma, officials of line departments and people of the area. Along with the PWM Unit inauguration, Swachh Bharat Diwas was also celebrated during the event. It may be mentioned that this Plastic Waste Management Unit is the first of its kind installed in Garo Hills region.

Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Thomas A Sangma reminded that the tribal villages are usually clean and that people maintains cleanliness around their surroundings, however, nowadays using plastics and going along with modern and readymade amenities easily available in the market, the environment is being polluted and is the need of the hour to take steps to prevent pollution in the area. Mentioning that people also throw their waste haphazardly, he said that many problems were faced during segregation of waste by the workers and urged everyone to segregate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste in their households. He informed that the installation of this unit would help to collect, process and recycle plastic waste in a proper manner.

Further, he also highlighted that many different schemes to maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene are being implemented in the region such as the good practice of open defecation free and other sanitation schemes including waste segregation and proper disposal of solid and liquid waste, etc for the benefit of the people in the area. He then called upon everyone to inculcate good habits and make this earth livable for generations in future.

Delivering the keynote address SE, (PHE) cum Member Secretary, DSBMG, West Garo Hills, Tura Ambrose D Sangma informed that Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign was launched on September 17, 2024 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission across the country organizing cleanliness drives, etc and the campaign culminates by observing Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2nd October, 2024. He further mentioned that Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi had launched Swachh Bharat Mission on 2nd October, 2014 and added that the cleanliness drive is being conducted every year in the district and urged everyone to continue to maintain cleanliness in our everyday lives.

Manish kumar SDO (Sardar), West Garo Hills Tura, Block Development Officer, Rongram C & RD Block, Cherime Sangma, Vice-Chairman of Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL) and President NPYF Dabo Mrong Marak, District Coordinator, SBMG, Block Coordinator, SBMG, Selsella Block Debanan R Marak were among others who spoke during the occasion.