LEH: On the occasion of World Toilet Day, administration of Union Territory of Ladakh in collaboration with BORDA South-Asia and LEDeG organized a daylong conference on “Innovative Urban Sanitation for Ladakh”. On occasion R.K Mathur, Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, e-inaugurated the “Wash facility for sanitation workers” and unveiled a “Whitepaper on Greywater” in presence of Feroz Ahmed Khan, Chief Executive Councilor Kargil, and Tashi Gyalson, CEC LAHDC, Leh. The wash facility is unique in nature to facilitate the safai karmacharies of Leh town to ease and clean themselves after completing their work. It has provisions of hot water shower, hand wash, laundry and entertainment. Speaking on the occasion, Mathur expressed the commitment of UT administration to ensure 100% saturation of tap connection to every household and expansion of green technologies in Ladakh for managing grey water and Fecal Sludge and to make Ladakh completely an organic UT. He asked the concerned officers to ensure documentation of solutions and technologies being presented during the seminar and take up few pilot projects on urgent basis. He urged both the Hill Councils to lead this mission and invited all stakeholders to lend their hand whether it is local population, a tourist, sanitation worker or people from security forces with an objective to protect the pristine ecology of Ladakh. Feroz Khan urged the academicians and researchers to suggest suitable technologies for Ladakh specific problems especially challenges being faced during extreme winters. Tashi Gyaltson, CEC Leh assured all assistance to the stakeholders for carrying out pilots to find out solutions to the challenges being faced by people in Ladakh and showed his commitment to ensure ease of living for the people of Ladakh. Experts and delegates from National and International organizations, Government Officials, water and sanitation organizations, and urban development professional joined the daylong conference to discussed and share their experience about the treatment and re-use of grey water for agriculture, public and dry Ladakhi toilets for locals and tourists, and fecal sludge management to improve working conditions of sanitation workers in region like Ladakh. UP Singh, Union Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti in his key note address emphasized the Government’s perspective and priorities in achieving the objectives of cleanliness. He urged the researches and practitioners to promote easy to use simple and local technologies which should be cost effective as well as more adaptive rather than going for a fancy and expensive solutions in managing grey water and fecal sludge. Umang Narula, Advisor to LG Ladakh also gave the perspective of Ladakh Administration on these issues. Rajeev Kher, CEO 3S Saraplast, gave a detailed presentation on toilets on wheels; the bus toilet, followed by representative LEDeG Deachen Spalzes gave a presentation on the opportunity and problem of Ladakhi toilets. Mayank Midha, CEO, Garv Toilets gave detailed presentation on Smart and durable toilets made of steel. Zuraina Dato Seri Zaharin, Founder, ECOLOO, Malaysia discussed about patented water-free, sewage-free eco-friendly toilet technology, B Veeralaxmanan, Head, Covestro Inclusive Business, gave detail presentation on Pre-fabricated, all-weather toilets for Leh and Tikender Singh Panwar Ex-Deputy Mayor, Shimla also spoke on managing networks of public toilets of the best services in the first technical session which was chaired by Chief Executive Councilor Kargil, Feroz Ahmed Khan. Initially Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Commissioner Secretary Ladakh gave the brief about the challenges being faced by people in Ladakh. Saugat Biswas, Secretary RDD Ladakh thanked all the participants and delegates for their role and contributions. Stanzin Tsephen, Director BORDA provided the technical support in organizing the seminar as knowledge partner.
