Rainwater harvesting project to be implemented in Darjeeling

A rainwater harvesting project will be implemented in the slum areas of Darjeeling hills, a senior state government official said today.
"A rainwater harvesting project will be implemented in the Darjeeling hills to give water to slum dwellers," Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Arnab Roy told PTI at a CII seminar 'Conference on Sustainable Waste Management' here.
He said as part of the Rs 24 crore state Environment department project, being funded by a global agency, water will be conserved through harvesting and implemented by the Municipal Engineering Directorate.
Roy said his department was working on solid waste management, sewerage treatment projects but "land remained a constraint."

"In the present situation, we are putting emphassis on recycling and reduction of waste mateials by composting," he said.
On Environment department and CII working together on the issue of solid waste management, Roy said, "CII is quite active in Kolkata on environmental matters and organising seminars."

"Thirty municipalties have been invited to today's seminar along with representatives of industries which included industries who are into recycling. Hopefuly we can find better ways to manage waste from this event," he said.
CII Kolkata Task Force Chairman Sumit Dabriwala said, "Today's seminar is about working with urban local bodies, giving new solutions and giving them access to new technology.

"There is very urgent critical need to address the issues regarding management of solid waste, which involves reduction, re-use, recycling for more effective use," he said.
NABARD Chief General Manager A K Raybarman said, "To save environment, NABARD is trying to sensitise farmers as to how organic manures and waste water harnessed in a pond will help them.