Garhwal Post Bureau
New Delhi, 2 Sep: State Forest, Language, Election, and Technical Education Minister, Subodh Uniyal represented Uttarakhand at the dialogue programme on Swachh Bharat Gramin Mission (SBM-G II) and SBM-G 3.0 held yesterday at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
In the national conference, Uniyal emphasised that the geographical conditions of hill states are entirely different from the plains, and therefore, distinct strategies are required for sanitation and waste disposal in these regions. In line with this approach, the Uttarakhand Government is implementing special programmes.
He also stated that the state government would appoint environmental friends, who will collect plastic waste scattered across forest areas and ensure its safe disposal. In respect of faecal sludge management, Uniyal pointed out that, in remote mountain regions where vehicular access is not possible, construction of twin pit toilets is being undertaken to guarantee sanitation. A proposal has been placed to increase the allocation, raising it from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,600. He added that this technique is considered the best and most sustainable for waste and sludge management in hill terrain.
Regarding sanitation, the minister reminded that special campaigns are being conducted to make sanitation a people’s movement, with the aim of keeping forests and the environment always clean and safe.
Uniyal further stated that these programmes will not only improve sanitation arrangements in villages and forest areas but will also create employment opportunities through the active participation of local people. He lauded the cooperative role of the Central Government and expressed confidence that, in the coming times, Uttarakhand will emerge as a model state in the field of sanitation and environmental conservation.
