The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) has provided a grant to Saahas, a non-profit organization working towards waste management, for setting up sustainable waste management infrastructure in 30 villages around the Panna National Park over the next two years.
By doing so, The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) joins the first-ever multi-stakeholder partnership to support the local government run initiative towards waste management, along with the Ministry of Tourism, Madhya Pradesh, under their initiative ‘Clean Destinations’. The initiative also embraces the Government of India’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission to strengthen sustainable management of waste across the country, especially in villages, the company said.
The project would be started in 30 villages around Panna National Park in the first phase. For this, an MoU has been signed between the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and Bangalore based Saahas. In addition, The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) has provided financial aid for the same.
Coca-Cola Foundation focusing on the Solid Waste Management program
The key focus of this Solid Waste Management (SWM) program encompasses setting up infrastructure for waste collection and transportation systems, ensuring the creation of end destinations for all waste categories. Additionally, it incorporates Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and awareness campaigns to bring about awareness and behavioural change amongst tourists towards waste segregation and management.
Under this project, waste management infrastructure, including collection centers, will be set up for all 30 villages. This project will also provide motorized vehicles and pull carts throughout the project area to collect and transport waste. Wet waste composting will also be set up for two larger villages, Madla and Hinauta. In addition, separate color-coded waste segregation bins will be placed at all prominent tourist spots and entry gates of the National Park.
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will play a pivotal role in implementing the project, with different state government departments and institutions, including the forest, rural, urban and revenue departments, and the district panchayat office. The department has extended its support by providing land for the setting up of collection infrastructure along with necessary civic amenities across 30 villages to ensure the sustainability of SWM systems.
