Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jul 4: In a major push towards scientific and sustainable waste management, the Goa government has announced the phased implementation of the 'Nisargaruna Rapid Composting' project across all municipal councils and village panchayats in the state.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant made the announcement during his visit to the Bicholim Waste Management Project, where he inspected the Nisargaruna Rapid Composting Facility established jointly by the state government, Sampurnearth Foundation and IndiGo Airlines under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Sawant reviewed the composting process in detail and interacted with officials on the technology, while directing authorities to ensure its successful expansion across Goa.
To facilitate implementation, the government will conduct hands-on demonstrations and specialised training programmes for local self-government bodies. A statewide awareness campaign will also be launched to promote segregation and collection of wet waste, enabling it to be converted into organic manure within 24 to 48 hours instead of being dumped on roadsides or sent to landfill sites.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said rapid urbanisation had made waste management one of the biggest challenges facing cities and towns.
"Instead of merely disposing of waste, it is now essential to convert biodegradable waste into valuable organic compost, thereby creating economic as well as environmental benefits," he said.
Sawant stressed that every municipal council and village panchayat should ensure segregation of waste at the source and process biodegradable waste locally, reducing the need to transport wet waste over long distances.
He said local processing would cut transportation costs, fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, foul odour and environmental pollution while improving cleanliness and providing relief to nearby residents.
The chief minister also announced awareness campaigns, live demonstrations and training programmes for municipalities, village panchayats, educational institutions, residential complexes and commercial establishments to encourage adoption of the technology.
Appealing to citizens, Sawant urged people to stop indiscriminate dumping of waste and instead practise proper segregation and responsible disposal of household waste.
Goa Waste Management Corporation Managing Director Harish Hadkonkar said Goa had become the first state in the country to implement the Nisargaruna Rapid Composting technology on such a large scale and expressed confidence that the model would serve as an example for other states.
Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye also addressed the gathering.
Providing technical details of the project, Chief Minister's Advisor and scientist Dr Sharad Kale said the process begins with segregated wet waste treated with a specially developed microbial culture. The waste is then shredded into a uniform mixture and placed in an aerated windrow for around 24 hours to regulate moisture before being transferred to trays or crates, where composting is completed over the next 24 hours.
The system produces odour-free, stable and nutrient-rich organic compost within 24 to 48 hours, making it suitable for agriculture, horticulture and gardening.
Dr Kale said the technology also keeps recyclable dry waste such as paper, plastic, glass and metal uncontaminated, improving recycling efficiency and increasing its commercial value. He added that the process significantly reduces methane emissions from decomposing organic waste, helping mitigate climate change, while future carbon credit opportunities could provide additional environmental and economic benefits.