The Department of Housing & Urban Development
on Friday signed an agreement with the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) on promoting sustainable and inclusive dry waste
management in the State.
The agreement was signed through a virtual event by department
Principal Secretary G Mathivathanan and UNDP India Country Head
Shoko Noda in the presence of Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra and
Municipal Administration Director Sangramjit Nayak.
In this collaboration for a period of four years, the UNDP would be the
technical partner of the Government of Odisha in providing handholding
support for “Wealth Centres” and facilitating setting up of downstream
facilities with private investment for value addition in recyclable dry
wastes, including plastic.
The partnership also intends to promote capacity building and skill
enhancement including digital skills of the community partners
associated with dry waste management.
This would ensure circular economy and create additional livelihoods
opportunities for the waste pickers and Mission Shakti Self Help
Groups. It would also improve collection efficiency of the dry waste
processing in the urban areas and improve the generation from waste.
Chief Secretary Mahapatra said, “The State of Odisha has made
significant progress in solid waste management in recent years. This
partnership is a reflection of our vision to ensure urban-rural
convergence in improving waste management facilities across the State
towards achieving circular economy.”
Noda said, “Efficient dry waste management offers many opportunities
and benefits to the economy, people, and the environment. UNDP is
committed to scale-up sustainable waste management models while
making a lasting impact on the lives of Waste Pickers. We are thankful
to the Government of Odisha for this partnership.”