The district Panchayat of Pithoragarh has approved Rs 18.70 lakh to distribute dustbins and jute bags to each family in six Gram Panchayats of Munsyari as a pilot project to raise awareness about solid Waste Management in the villages. District Panchayat member Jagat Martolia said that this initiative has been taken under the Clean the Himalayas theme to raise awareness on waste management. He said that an amount of about Rs three lakh each has been sanctioned to five Gram Panchayats of Munsyari which are Kavadhar, Kwirizimiya, Khasiabada, Jalath, Dhimdhimiya besides Rs 3.70 lakh to Jaiti Gram Panchayat. He said that the administration will be working in these villages as a pilot project in association with the Society for Action in Himalaya organisation. He said that intense awareness campaigns will be run in these villages with the help of this organisation besides seeking assistance from the district and State administration. He said that the campaign would focus on how one can incorporate Solid Waste Management into daily routine.
He said that the administration will make young students of the six villages brand ambassadors of the campaign as an initiative to associate the younger generation with the cleanliness of the Himalayas and their surroundings in general. As per this plan, it would be the first time when there would be a brand ambassador for the campaign in every household in the block, said Martolia. He said that the administration will dedicate the next year to raising awareness on solid waste management in daily life and proper waste disposal methods to improve sanitation conditions across the district.