During
Last few months ECO-V got involved in conducting series of programmes related
Solid Waste management including Morawaka and Pitabeddara areas in Southern
province. One Mr. Ranjan Abeywicjrama from
Morawaka who really wants to make sustainable community with proper waste
management system invited us to conduct these programmes. He is the owner of an
organic farm called Shrawani Estate - https://www.facebook.com/Shrawani-Estate-183328318673432/ who had been directly involved with the waste issue at Morawaka town for many
years.
Morawaka and
Pitabeddara are two small towns that situated in Matara District of the
Southern Province. Those are located along the A17 road near to Deniyaya which
has become one of the major tourist destinations of Sri Lanka. These small
towns surrounded by hills and its natural beauty and pleasing climate
conditions have been threatened by careless garbage dumping. The Nilwala River
which runs through these areas has also been polluted as this waste issue and
misbehaviors of residents. Both town got severely flooded by the past recent
floods they had the they were 20 feet under water. Basically purpose of this
program series was making tidy town area and developing positive attitudes of
residents towards a proper waste management system.
1st Session
The 1st program
was held on 03rd of August, 2017 at Nilwala River Breeze Hotel, Morawaka and
organized by Mr.Ranjan with the support of Pitabeddara Pradeshiya Sabha.
Members of Trade union – Morawaka, Few Police officers of Pitabeddara Police,
PHI officers, teachers from schools and preschools, staff members of Provincial
Council, members of three wheeler union, few grama niladharis (Village state
representatives) and residents of Morawaka area were participated at the
session.
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| Talking about Waste Segregation |
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| Eco bricks and Saree bags |
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| Watching related video clips |
It was a very
successful session since we were able to talk to the grass root level of that
area and also we discussed on proper waste management methods with officers
from various administrations who supports the community. It was reported, many
people have died and many are reported missing since “Morawaka kanda” collapsed
due to landslide during recent rainy season. This kind of environmental and
climate crises happens because of negative human factors. So we were able to
indicate that the gap between environment and human is the major issue for
these kind of environmental disasters.
We mentioned that human are a small part of this environment and we have
no right to destroy the environment. Discarded polythene bags, plastic bottles,
cans and other non – biodegradable waste create blocks in water drains and
canals. It directly supports to increase floods at town areas.
It was taken
well by the participants and they were very satisfied and many of them involved
with the discussion with their own plans to continue this program to make
sustainable and green atmosphere around Morawaka and Pitabeddara areas.
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| Mr.Ranjan is discussing on future waste management plans with the audience |
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| Participants are involving with the discussion |
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| Police and PHI Officers |
After the
session team ECO-V had a great opportunity to visit Sharwani Estate (organic
garden) owned by Mr. Ranjan and had a beautiful lunch.
2nd Session
As a result of the
program which held on 3rd of August, ECO-V received another invitation by
Divisional Secretariat of Pitabeddara to conduct the same Waste Management
session on 22nd of August. They specially requested us to create awareness on
Conscious Consumerism too which is another key area of ECO-V. Over 160 staff members of Divisional
Secretariat were participated in that session.
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After the
session organizers mentioned that they had planned to give a cloth bag and a
stainless steel lunch box for all participants.
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3rd Session
In the same
evening Mr. Ranjan had organized a another Q & A session at Pitabeddara
Pradeshiya Sabha premises, for small group of residence who are giving their
own waste to the Pradeshiya sabha garbage collectors. Few staff members who had
not participated the previous program at Morawaka also joined with this
session. This was a kind of follow up session for Morawaka participants.
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| We were able to see that Pitabeddara Pradeshiya Sabha staff had practiced making Eco bricks after the 1st program which we conducted at Morawaka. |
After the
session, organizers discussed on future waste management plans at Morawaka town
area. They have already planned to arrange dustbins with relevant waste
segregation color-codes at Morawaka town. In addition, they have planned to
create awareness among community by conducting similar kind of programs and
after that they will get legal actions against contraventions.
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