A workshop on rural waste management was held at the conference hall of the Sonitpur zilla parishad here on Friday.

The workshop, which was formally inaugurated by deputy commissioner Manvendra Pratap Singh, was attended by additional deputy commissioner Kulen Sarma, Tezpur Municipal Board chairperson Pushpa Deka, Sonitpur zilla parishad chairperson Dolly Surin, block development officers, various panchayati raj institutions (PRI) members and heads of various line departments.

The workshop covered various aspects related to the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 and Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Singh said, “The issue of waste management is no longer confined to just urban areas and equal importance must be laid on waste management in rural areas as well.”

He appealed to all PRI members to create awareness regarding the same so that age-old and unscientific means of waste disposal can be altogether done away with.

Talking about the strict guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal for waste management, the deputy commissioner said the PRI members have a crucial role to play in changing the mindset of the people.

He urged all those present to work on a war footing to create awareness and bring about positive changes which will go a long way in conserving the environment.

Various presentations on waste management were made by resource persons from PHE and health departments as part of the workshop.