Asem Bhakta Singh
Northeast Correspondence
Imphal : The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) organised an awareness programme on electronic waste (e-waste) management today as part of the seven-day BRICS initiative on Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), with a focus on promoting sustainable living and individual responsibility towards environmental protection.
The programme was held at the DIPR auditorium, Nityaipat Chuthek, Imphal.
Speaking at the programme, Dr. Habibullah Khan, Environment Officer, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, highlighted the growing problem of e-waste and its adverse effects on human health and the environment. He pointed out that increasing dependence on electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, televisions and other electrical accessories, coupled with their short lifespan, had led to a rise in discarded electronic products.
Referring to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, he stressed that regulations alone could not bring meaningful change unless people adopted responsible lifestyles. He cautioned that improper disposal and burning of plastic and electronic waste could release hazardous substances, posing serious risks to human health and the environment.
He emphasised the need to establish designated e-waste collection points in government offices and households and urged people to hand over discarded electronic items to authorised agencies, including CRED, recognised by the Manipur Pollution Control Board.
Highlighting the importance of collective responsibility, Dr. Khan said environmental protection must begin with individual action. Citing the changing condition of the Nambul River, he underlined the need to preserve natural resources and traditional ecological practices, cautioning that irresponsible waste management could make the environment hazardous for future generations.
Additional Director (P&D), T. Ramesh Singh, stated that the message of the seven-day campaign should be incorporated into everyday life. He stressed that meaningful change must begin with individuals themselves to build a better and healthier planet.
Joint Director, IPR, L. Ashok Kumar Singh, also urged citizens to ensure the proper disposal of obsolete electronic gadgets, including televisions and other electrical equipment. He informed that household e-waste could be handed over directly to CRED for proper management and called for responsible waste-disposal practices in daily life.
The seven-day BRICS campaign, involving Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is being observed from November 1 to 7 under the theme Lifestyle for Environment. Each day focuses on a specific sustainable practice, including adopting a healthy lifestyle, saving energy, conserving water, promoting sustainable food systems, eliminating single-use plastics, reducing e-waste and managing general waste.
The programme called upon citizens to adopt small but meaningful lifestyle changes to protect the environment and ensure a greener and healthier future for coming generations.
T. Ramesh Singh, Additional Director (P&D), Dr. Habibullah Khan, Environment Officer, and L. Ashok Kumar Singh, Joint Director, IPR, attended the programme along with other departmental officials and staff.
