Around 100 centres will be set up by the Society of Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists (SPECS) in Dehradun for the assembling and repairing of LED bulbs.
Some centres will be completely dedicated for the collection of electronic waste so that locals can dispose of their e-waste there rather than in open areas that adversely damage the environment. This was informed by the secretary of SPECS and environmentalist Dr Brij Mohan Sharma who was recently awarded by the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat with the prestigious Indian Excellency Award instituted by Indian Book of World Recordsfor his work towards the conservation of environment.
Dr Sharma disclosed there are currently six main centres in Dehradun district for assembling and repairing of LED bulbs that include three centres in Doiwala, two centres in Sahaspur and one in the Dehradun city. He informed that over 100 women of several Self Help Groups (SHGs) are associated with this programme. He pointed out that all the LED bulbs at these centres were assembled by villagers, youth, dropout student, girls and inmates. He said the repairing centers are helping generate awareness on minimizing E-WASTE, environment conservation, climate change mitigation and science and technology popularization.
He said that they are planning to open 100 more such centres and are currently working to select locations and individuals that can operate the centres. "We want to make a small but self-sufficient industry where local women can prepare, sell and repair LED lights, light bulbs, tubelights and other electronic products. These women will soon start making decorative items using LED bulbs, recycled bottles and other items," said Sharma. He further added that the machines for making LED light bulbs are generally big but they made a smaller model of the same machine in which more people can work together.
Sharma stated that they also raise awareness among locals regarding the proper e-waste disposal through Nukkad Natak and folk songs besides some short films and rap songs in order to draw the attention of youth toward the issue.
