Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (EP)

Udupi, Sep 16: Karnataka's first solid and liquid resource management (SLRM) project was inaugurated by Udupi district deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis here on Saturday September 16. The project aims at making Udupi a garbage-free district and has been launched in Vandse on pilot basis.

Addressing the gathering, DC Priyanka said, "Disposal of waste has become a big problem today. Since plastic products were introduced in 1970s, the amount of trash that is being thrown out is on the increase. Solid and liquid resource management project is being implemented at the national level in order to find a solution for waste. The pilot project is being started from Udupi in Karnataka state. The project is being implemented in Vandse gram panchayat limits. It aims to convert Udupi district into a garbage-free district by 2018.

"The prestigious SLRM project was set in motion by the President of India in Varanasi on September 15. It is being implemented for the first time here in Karnataka. Vandse panchayat has taken a bold step and has become the first panchayat to implement the project. The production of waste should decrease in houses. Reuse/recycling of waste should be encouraged. Awareness should be created about it among people. It is the duty of every citizen to make his village free from trash. Implementation of the project in Vandse should be a role model to others," she said.

Zilla panchayat justice committee president K Babu Shetty who inaugurated byre said that officials should take initiative to control pollution. "The measures taken for disposal of waste should be stressed while giving license to hotels. Those who do not maintain cleanliness should not be given license," he said.

Gram panchayat president Udayakumar Shetty presided. Zilla panchayat chief executive Shivananda Kapashi, taluk panchayat member Udaya G Poojary, Zilla panchayat chief project officer A Srinivas Rao, Brahmalingeshwar temple Maranakatte genetic managing trustee C Sadashiva Shetty, B A V R trust, Bagwadi-Noojadi secretary Bagwadi Rajiv Shetty, Vandse C A Bank president Bhujanga Shetty Keradi, environment officer Dr Laxmikanth, gram panchayat vice president Sharada Rudramma Acharya, Tahsildar G A Borker and SLRM’s Raju Poojary Jadkal were present.

Programme sponsors B M V R trust and Vandse C A bank handed over a cheque to the deputy commissioner. Donor of cow to the byre, Sathish Shetty Nandrolli, SLRM supervisor Rafiq Saheb, volunteers and workers were felicitated.

Gram panchayat president Udayakumar welcomed. Zilla panchayat chief project officer A Srinivas Rao gave a key note address. Mandarthi gram panchayat development officer Mahesh and Vandse clinic chief veterinarian Dr Babanna Poojary compered the programme. Vandse gram panchayat development officer Shanker Acharya proposed vote of thanks.

SLRM unit, administrative office, godown and terrace garden were inaugurated on the occasion.