Gurez hosts 1st EPR convention, valley eyes plastic-free future

BANDIPORA: In a landmark step towards environmental conservation and sustainable tourism, the District Administration Bandipora on Wednesday organised the first-ever Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Convention at the Auditorium, Government HSS Dawar, Gurez, bringing together senior functionaries of the Government of India, the district administration, the Indian Army, leading national brands and civil society on a single platform. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, presented a detailed proposal on the roadmap to make Gurez a complete No-Plastic Zone. She said the convention had been organised to bring together companies whose products generate plastic waste — bottles, cans, chips packets, biscuit wrappers and other packaged materials — so that they actively participate in managing the waste generated from their products. Observing that the growing influx of tourists has made waste management a major challenge, she cautioned camping tent owners, hoteliers and business establishments that strict action shall be initiated under the relevant rules in case of failure to discharge their statutory obligations. Invoking the enduring legacy of Habba Khatoon, she urged businesses and shopkeepers to extend wholehearted support to the administration in preserving the pristine character of the valley, and announced that informative signboards highlighting Gurez’s medicinal, ecological and heritage values would be installed en route to promote responsible tourism. In her virtual address, the Joint Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti and Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), emphasised that all stakeholders must act as the true owners of their home and preserve every aspect of it. Amit Love of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, joining virtually, deliberated in depth on the provisions of Extended Producer Responsibility and suggested that the district draw upon successful models from across the country and adapt them for implementation in Gurez. Speaking on the occasion, the Commanding Officer, 109 Infantry Brigade, described Gurez as the Crown of the Union Territory and stressed the need to accord the highest priority to cleanliness as the valley rises on the national tourist map. Representatives of the Gurez Sub-Division Traders Association shared their experiences on the challenges in implementing EPR at the local level. An interactive session chaired by the Deputy Commissioner followed, in which she, along with SDM Gurez, ACP Bandipora, Tehsildar Gurez, BDOs and SDPO, responded to a range of queries raised by stakeholders.