News & Announcement
Two-Day Technical Workshop on Sustainable Sanitation Concludes in Gangtok
Gangtok, September 8 (IPR): A two-day technical workshop on sustainable sanitation concluded today in Gangtok, bringing together key stakeholders to develop practical, locally appropriate roadmaps for strengthening sanitation and waste management systems across Sikkim.
The high-level workshop was organised by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM) Alliance, with support from the Viega Foundation and in active collaboration with the Urban Development Department (UDD), Government of Sikkim.
The event saw active participation from officials of different departments, representatives of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and sector experts who deliberated extensively on localized sanitation challenges tied to the State’s mountainous terrain and unpredictable climatic conditions.
The concluding sessions targeted improved community participation, optimized service delivery mechanisms, and actionable roadmaps for municipal bodies.
The session on community partnerships for sustainable sanitation service delivery featured Special Secretary-cum-Mission Director, SBM (Urban), Mr Jigme Wagchuk Bhutia, who outlined the State's progressive efforts to engage Self-Help Groups (SHGs), local service providers, and sanitation workers to support decentralized infrastructure. He underscored the vital role of state initiatives like Swachh Shehar Jodi and Swachhata Ambassadors in driving community-led sanitation movements.
Sharing national best practices, sector experts Mr Xerxes Rao (UMC) and Ms Priyadarshinee Shrestha (IMI) showcased successful community-led models that leverage sanitation and waste management to generate local livelihoods and foster entrepreneurship.
An interactive group drafting session led by Dr Mahreen Matto of NIUA supported ULB representatives to design a comprehensive, district-specific sanitation roadmaps categorized into three strategic timelines:
* Short-term priorities (1-2 years): Addressing immediate infrastructure gaps and robust capacity building.
* Medium-term priorities (3-7 years): Focusing on policy development, institutional strengthening, and strategic financing.
* Long-term goals (8+ years): Centred around establishing climate-resilient systems, resource reuse, and circular economic recovery.
The workshop also featured a strong collective call for enhanced inter-departmental convergence. Participating stakeholders emphasized the immediate need for regular coordination between the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Urban Development Department (UDD), Tourism Department, and Agriculture Department to sustain a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable Sikkim.
The high-level workshop was organised by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM) Alliance, with support from the Viega Foundation and in active collaboration with the Urban Development Department (UDD), Government of Sikkim.
The event saw active participation from officials of different departments, representatives of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and sector experts who deliberated extensively on localized sanitation challenges tied to the State’s mountainous terrain and unpredictable climatic conditions.
The concluding sessions targeted improved community participation, optimized service delivery mechanisms, and actionable roadmaps for municipal bodies.
The session on community partnerships for sustainable sanitation service delivery featured Special Secretary-cum-Mission Director, SBM (Urban), Mr Jigme Wagchuk Bhutia, who outlined the State's progressive efforts to engage Self-Help Groups (SHGs), local service providers, and sanitation workers to support decentralized infrastructure. He underscored the vital role of state initiatives like Swachh Shehar Jodi and Swachhata Ambassadors in driving community-led sanitation movements.
Sharing national best practices, sector experts Mr Xerxes Rao (UMC) and Ms Priyadarshinee Shrestha (IMI) showcased successful community-led models that leverage sanitation and waste management to generate local livelihoods and foster entrepreneurship.
An interactive group drafting session led by Dr Mahreen Matto of NIUA supported ULB representatives to design a comprehensive, district-specific sanitation roadmaps categorized into three strategic timelines:
* Short-term priorities (1-2 years): Addressing immediate infrastructure gaps and robust capacity building.
* Medium-term priorities (3-7 years): Focusing on policy development, institutional strengthening, and strategic financing.
* Long-term goals (8+ years): Centred around establishing climate-resilient systems, resource reuse, and circular economic recovery.
The workshop also featured a strong collective call for enhanced inter-departmental convergence. Participating stakeholders emphasized the immediate need for regular coordination between the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Urban Development Department (UDD), Tourism Department, and Agriculture Department to sustain a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable Sikkim.
