-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19th November,the launch of National Environment Awareness month saw buzzing activity in Margao Municipal Gardens.GOACAN put up an excellent exhibition on garbage and waste management.There were colourful pictorial charts of all shapes and sizes,depicting garbage disposal options,safe and healthy practices,and consumer information.There were detailed charts with examples of different types of garbage ,with actual waste products glued on the charts.On display were an array of labelled bins for segregation of various types of garbage - glass,plastic,metal,aluminium etc.In the centre of the exhibition was a table with EM(effective micro organisms) ,compost and other related products.GOACAN volunteers explained in different languages ,simple concepts of segregation and recycling.A low cost solution which consisted of a circular netted steel mesh(cost approx Rs 300) for disposal of wet garbage for simple composting purposes, was also on display.Pictures and paintings done by school children ,wealth out of waste products, art exhibits on the theme lined an entire side of the exhibtion.The response from people was overwhelming - there were casual passer's by ,school students,teachers ,housewives,traders, even workers and sweepers of the Margao garden who visited the exhibition.
The exhibition culminated with a Public Meeting.Everyone who had assembled joined in for a Solidarity March around the garden.Many people carried placards ,highlighting the urgent need for solutions ,to tackle the everincreasing menace of garbage. The meeting began with 9 year old Elizabeth Powell, expressively emoting a poem titled "Dont Litter". This was followed by an excited group of children from different schools singing the nursery rhyme"Bits of paper,lying on the ground" with two more verses added about segregating,recycling,reducing,re using concepts.They were proud to be brand ambassadors for a theme "Keep Goa Clean". Alisha Faleiro presented a thought provoking elocution piece on "The garbage problem in Goa" Shalaka Bhembre presented a hilarious one minute monolgue in konkani ,which drew a thunderous applause. Students of Perpectual High School presented a konkani song on the environment. Principals,directors ,teachers of Educational Institutes came forth and shared initiatives about what their respective schools were doing and what they planned to do, to positively contribute to the Waste Management campaign. Sr Annie of Presentation Convent spoke about how different drawing competions were held on the theme of Waste Management.Students were encouraged to develop good habits,and maintain a clean environment.. Mrs Therese Almeida,an environmentalist and the director of Manovikas motivated people and shared how students are taught right from pre primary to act responsibly and not throw litter around.The school was already following garbage segregation practices,and many initiatives were being planned . Teachers from Fatima Convent,a Cuncolim school ,shared about eco clubs and different activities that their schools were involved in. Half way through the meeting,Clinton Vaz,a knowledgeable young man who is passionate about the environment ,demonstrated how to segregate garbage and he explained the different categories of segregation. A consumer forum volunteer from a Housing colony in Maddel,Margao shared his ideas and initiatives. Blaize Costabir,the President of the Verna Industrial Association shared about Industrial Pollution. At the end,Roland Martins ,the co ordinator of GOACAN(Goa Conusmer and Civic Forum Network) wrapped up the meeting ,highlighting different strategies of waste management and encouraged people's involvement in civic issues .He also urged people to go back to their respective homes and neighbourhoods and do something constructive. Xavier Cota,the Convenor of the Bethalbatim Consumer and Civic Forum ended the meeting with a vote of thanks. The day ended with Forum volunteers feeling happy that people were responsive ,and that together we can all work for a cleaner,greener Goa.A platform was provided to share initiatives ,to encourage one another and to promote civic awareness. Melinda Coutinho Powell
