Tura, March 26:An awareness campaign on plastic and solid waste management was held at the Social Forestry Complex, Dakopgre in Tura on Thursday.

The event, organised with the support of the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board, aimed to educate students and the public on the dangers of pollution and the importance of responsible waste management.

The event began with a welcome address by Arpiyush Ch Sangma, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Social Forestry Division, Tura while addressing the need for awareness, particularly among students, highlighting how pollution affects biodiversity, contributes to global warming, and impacts air, water and land quality. He stressed that pollution is a growing concern worldwide and that everyone must play a role in tackling it.

Dr. Merril N. Sangma, President of the Garo Hills Environment Protection Society, spoke about the importance of environmental stewardship. Drawing from religious perspectives, he compared Garo Hills to the Garden of Eden, urging residents to protect their natural surroundings. He highlighted the contamination of rivers and streams, emphasizing that clean water is more valuable than gold.

Lastborn D. Sangma, Assistant Engineer of the Tura Municipal Board, provided insights into solid waste management. He explained the importance of proper waste disposal, including collection, treatment, and recycling, to prevent pollution. He informed the audience about the garbage collection services in Tura, which operate six days a week, with commercial areas receiving service twice daily. He also stressed the importance of separating biodegradable (wet) and non-biodegradable (dry) waste, urging citizens to compost organic waste and hand over recyclable materials to the Municipal Board.

R.K. Sangma, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife & Territorial) for the Garo Hills Region, emphasized the significance of local action for global impact. She referred to the Earth Summit 1992’s principle of “Think globally, act locally,” urging individuals to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings. She warned of the health risks posed by unchecked waste accumulation and encouraged proactive steps toward environmental conservation.

As part of the campaign, a Model Art from Waste Materials competition was held, featuring creative exhibits from nine schools. The winners were selected based on innovation, presentation, appeal, skill and relevance to waste management.

Winners:

•1st Prize – Embee Rose Bud Secondary School

•2nd Prize – Don Bosco Higher Secondary School

•3rd Prize – Auxilium Secondary School

The winners were awarded with cash prizes, trophies and certificates.