Swachhta Pakhwada successfully observed in NIPHM

National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) observed ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ from May16 to 31. The fortnight-long Programme was flagged off by G Jayalakshmi, IAS, Director General, NIPHM by administering of ‘Swachhta Pledge’ to the officers and staff of the Institute on May 16.

During the fortnight, various activities like Lectures, Awareness Programmes on different Waste Management Techniques/Procedures, Special drives for identification of old records/furniture machinery etc and cleaning activities have been organised at NIPHM office, quarters and at two villages for the benefit of all the officers/staff of NIPHM and farmers.

It has been realised that lack of sanitation, hygiene and improper disposal of pesticides containers pertaining to agricultural activity has a far reaching impact on rural population’s health, safety and livelihood. The event presented a good opportunity to showcase various environmental friendly technologies of NIPHM to the rural masses, and to educate them hands-on.

NIPHM was able to spread swachhta awareness and paved a way for successful demonstration and implementation of different Waste management techniques in the agricultural domain with a focus on improving cleanliness.

During the first week of the Swachhta Pakwada, NIPHM organised three lectures on different topics like ‘New initiatives on composting/ Organic Waste Management’, ‘Implementation of Paperless Office’ and ‘Protocols for disposal of e-waste’ delivered by experts/resource persons from ICRISAT and National Informatics Centre Hyderabad. NIPHM has also conducted special cleaning drives across its campus, residential quarters and hostels and has cleaned up the entire premises.

During the second week of the Swachhta Pakwada, NIPHM organised two awareness programmes in two villages (Amdapur and Medipally, Moinabad Mandal, Telangana) on different topics like ‘Proper disposal of Insecticide Containers’ and ‘Demonstration of farm equipment developed by NIPHM’ and ‘Household pests and Rodent Management’ for the benefit of farmers.

NIPHM also organised Awareness programme on ‘Kitchen, House hold Waste Management’ for the benefit of residents of NIPHM Residential Quarters wherein Officials from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have demonstrated the methods of segregation, collection of biodegradable and non-biodegradable items.

Further special drives were conducted for weeding of old records, equipment/machinery etc, apart from continuation of cleaning activities across its premises for the second week also. Plantation of trees in NIPHM campus, essay writing and painting competitions were also conducted during this fortnight and the staff were encouraged to participate in community building activities.

The Valedictory Programme on the fortnight long celebrations of Swachhta Pakhwda at NIPHM was organised on May 31, in which the Registrar, NIPHM thanked G Jayalakshmi, IAS, Director General, NIPHM for her keen interest for cleanliness, tremendous support and guidance extended due to which the programme was taken up as a mission with lot of enthusiasm and zeal by all the staff members and not treated as a routine activity.