SAMBA: As part of the Environment Week-2025 celebration, the District Administration Samba today organized a workshop on Plastic waste management, aimed at sensitizing officials and strengthening institutional efforts towards environmental sustainability.

Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma presided over the event as the chief guest.

The workshop was specifically designed for officials of the Rural Development Department, with the objective of enhancing their understanding of the growing challenge posed by plastic pollution and equipping them to promote sustainable alternatives at the grassroots level.

In his address, the Deputy Commissioner underscored the critical need to eliminate the use of single-use plastics and promote environment-friendly alternatives, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. On the occasion, he made a significant declaration that the Conference Hall within the DC Office premises shall henceforth be a single-use plastic-free zone, thereby reinforcing the administration's commitment through exemplary action.

The workshop witnessed the presence of several key officers, including Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Champa Devi; Deputy Director, Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Jammu Zaheer Abbas; Field Officer, Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Jammu Devia Nanda and officials from the Rural Development Department Samba. Assistant Director Handloom Niharika moderated the proceedings.

The technical sessions were conducted by subject experts Dr. Saptak and Vinod, specialists in plastic waste management. They shared in-depth insights on the environmental hazards of plastic waste, effective waste segregation practices, and the adoption of biodegradable alternatives in rural settings.

The capacity-building initiative aimed to empower government functionaries as community-level change agents, capable of generating awareness and facilitating behavioral change in favor of sustainable living. The administration envisions a multiplier effect wherein trained officials will disseminate the knowledge further across their jurisdictions.