XIM-B Bags Project From Orissa Government For Water Management
Premier management institute in the east, Xavier Institute of Management- Bhubaneshwar has bagged a low-cost waste water management project from the Orissa government. To be implemented in the later half of this year, the 35 lakh-odd population of Bhubaneshwar stands to gain from it.
For the project, XIM has joined hands with the Central Institute of Fresh water Aquaculture (CIFA) Bhubaneswar and the India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF) in New Delhi to develop the innovative and low cost waste water management project.
The Municipal Corporation of the Orissa government has sanctioned the implementation of the system for the city of Bhubaneswar only. The cost for the whole Project is Rs 8.7 crore, the majority of which is being contributed by ICEF. CIFA and XLRI- Jamshedpur will also make contributions while stakeholders like Utkal University will contribute towards the site development. The total duration of the project is five years and is to be completed in two phases- the first spanning three years and the remaining in two years. XIM authorities expect the project to take off soon.
The project assumes significance in the wake of waste-water emerging from smaller cities that is fast becoming an environmental hazard. Moreover, the maintenance and construction of adequate sewerage system and sewage treatment plants suffers from cost and economic viability limitations.
Titled "Community Based Water Resource Management with Emphasis on Natural Water, Quality Improvement, and Resource Recovery" the project is being handled by the Centre for Development and Research and Training wing of XIM which began operations in 1988 to carry out research work for rural Orissa. This innovative location-specific, natural and low cost technique involves the treatment of urban waste water (sewage) by aquaphytes and different fish species.
According to Professor RC Das of XIM’s Centre for Development Research and Training, the project proposes to renovate and convert 5 natural silted and weed infested wetlands in Bhubaneshwar- Vani Vihar, Nicco Park, Laxmisagar, Kesura Ghai and Sisupalgarh which receive a substantial part of the urban sewage of Bhubaneswar to duckweed and fish ponds. Apart from improving the water quality, these ponds will also provide viable economic returns through fish harvest and harvest of duck eggs that are to be reared in the ponds.
Moreover, according to the XIM faculty members, the renovation of these wetlands and development of the surrounding area will create recreational spots that may spur activities like research, training and conservation of biodiversity.
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