23-26 Nov at A four day International Workshop on “Converting Waste into Resource: Beneficial and Safe Reuse of Waste and Wastewater in Peri-Urban Agriculture in India” has started today at Vidya Bhawan Polytechnic College, Udaipur.

The workshop is jointly organized by The Crawford Fund, CSIRO and Western Sydney University and Wolkem India and Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technical Studies

The nation requires a strong waste water policy, including Udaipur, most of the Indian cities are using Septic Tanks but there is no focus on the management of septez and waste coming out of it.

There are substantiate presence of harmful pest in waste water which through vegetables is reaching Human beings and creating major health concerns which could be very fatal. In such situation, there is a need of strict regulations with sustainable infrastructure and also educating citizens and officials.

Urbanization has destroyed fertile land whereas the farmlands nearby city are one of the signs of developed or a Smart City.

While addressing the audience Mayor of city Chandra Singh Kothari has said that the workshop will definitely help the city in making it Smart City, he also said that the contribution of citizens is essential in smart city project.

Amandeep Singh from Center for Policy Research, New Delhi has said that, there are improper constructions of septic tanks in Udaipur neither there is any facilities to clean the tanks in regular interval. G.S Tank, Former President of RPSC requested Mayor to include the rules and regulations of septic tank construction in UMC’s House Construction Permission policy.

Kimberly Norhana of CPR said that, the waste water should not just consider as waste, instead it could be used further. Instead of large cities, small and mid size cities should have made parameters in strict guidelines to eradicate the problems of sewerage and solid waste.

She said that due to fragile policies and lack of awareness the waste of septic tank are drained without proper treatment which is very dangerous for health and environment.

Professor Ravishankar from Institute of Life Science, Ahmedabad, Dr Basant Maheshwari of Western Sydney University, Dr Rai Kukna of CSRO Australia, Cris Derry, Scientist and Dr Peter from Flinders University also expressed their views.