A two-day All India Seminar on “Solid Waste Management: Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future” began today at the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Porompat, Imphal East. The seminar is jointly organised by the Institution of Engineers (India), Manipur State Centre, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and the Department of MAHUD under the aegis of the Environmental Engineering Division Board (ENDB), IEI.

The inaugural session was graced by Manipur University Vice-Chancellor, Professor N. Lokendra Singh, as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Lokendra recalled that Imphal was once known for its clean and green environment in the early 1970s. He expressed concern over the city’s present condition, noting that lack of proper planning, unchecked urbanisation, and encroachment of public lands have made Imphal overcrowded and unhygienic. Stressing the urgency of the issue, he called for systematic planning, meaningful measures, and inclusion of Solid Waste Management in academic syllabi to foster awareness and sustainability.

Speaking as Guest of Honour, Dr. Tourangbam Brajakumar, Director of the Department of Environment and Climate Change, highlighted that the 27 urban local bodies in Imphal generate large volumes of solid waste daily, of which only a fraction is collected by the municipality. The remainder, he warned, continues to pollute the environment. He urged citizens to reduce waste generation, maintain cleanliness, and participate actively in waste management.

Shri Ngangom Uttam Singh, Director, MAHUD and IPR, also attended the event as Guest of Honour, while Er. L. Swamikanta Singh, Chairman, IEI Manipur State Centre, presided over the function. The inaugural session also saw the release of a souvenir, followed by technical sessions and paper presentations.

The first session featured invited talks and research presentations on policy frameworks, municipal waste management challenges, and innovative solutions such as the use of agricultural and fish waste, e-waste recycling, and catalysts derived from wood chips. Experts and scholars from Manipur University, NIT Manipur, Mizoram University, and other institutions shared insights on addressing solid waste challenges.

The afternoon session, chaired by Er. L. Swamikanta Singh, included discussions on the way forward for Manipur’s waste management, with papers focusing on behavioural change, e-waste segregation, and case studies from hilly towns like Chandel.

The seminar will continue tomorrow with further deliberations and technical sessions.