Mumbai: The Disaster Management Cell (DMC) of NMIMS University, in partnership with Excel Industries, Garbage Concern, a leading NGO in waste management and with the support of BMC has initiated a one month week-end course on 'Garbage and Garden Management'  for  twenty participants of Dattak Vasti Yojana of 'S' ward.

Mumbai generates 7025 tons of solid waste per day from which 5025 tons is biodegradable and recyclable waste. Per capita waste generation of Mumbai is among the highest in Indian cities with 0.450 kg of waste being generated per capita.  Management of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) has become a serious concern for government departments, pollution control agencies, industries, regulatory bodies and most importantly citizens of Mumbai. 

Shri Amrish Patel, Chancellor - NMIMS University, in his inaugural address, expressed the concern over the environmental degradation due to accumulation of unattended waste and brought home the need for solid waste management. Shri Patel appreciated this one of its kind effort of 'Academic Institute- Industry-NGO' partnership towards organizing a Management Programme for the grass root functionaries of the development sector.

Shri Ashwinbhai Shroff, Chairman and Managing Director, Excel Industries mentioned that the course aims to generate employability of the people at the field level by developing their skills to handle garbage effectively and to provide them with gardening skills. 

Shri Anand Jagtap, Officer on Special Duty (Dattak Vasti Yojana), stressed on the need for the CBOs to take a proactive role in creation of employment opportunities of people at grass root through dissemination of management skills in the area of management of waste.

The Inauguration Ceremony of the programme took place on Friday, 14th December, 2007 at NMIMS University. The dignitaries present were Shri Amrish Patel, Chancellor, NMIMS University, Shri Balwantbhai Sheth, Vice President, SVKM, Dr. N.M.Kondap, Vice Chancellor, NMIMS University, Shri Ashwinbhai Shroff, Chairman and Managing Director, Excel Industries and Shri Anand Jagtap, Officer on Special Duty (Dattak Vasti Yojana).

Certificate Course on Garbage and Garden Management

Eligibility: people at grass root who are involved in slum sanitation programme/cleanliness activities/Advanced Locality Management.

Admission procedure: Interview of willing candidates at the respective Ward followed by scrutiny done by Excel Industries and Garbage Concern (NGO).

Fees: No fees as such. But the participants have to bear their traveling expenses.

Attendance: 100% attendance is compulsory.

The next batch is expected to start in April, 2008.

Interested candidates may contact Dr. Francin Pinto at 9820702096 or garbageconcern@gmail.com