Considering the historical background and traditional mentality of the people of Puri town, it was not possible to work with general public when it comes to source segregation and disposal. Hence, the project ahs taken the assistance of some indigenous groups who are involved in rag picking, one section from scavenger community were selected as ?Safai Sathies? to collect and dispose the solid waste. By employing these people, it has helped them generate income and has also provided them better standards of living.

Formation of institutions at all levels i.e. at the level of residents and rag pickers as Safai Mitras groups has been accomplished and management operation teams are being formed. Links to the Municipal Corporation has been established for allocation of areas/lands for the recycling of degradable waste to organic fertilizers and build their capacities. Capacity building of local level institutions of local beneficiaries like community based household committee, traders and other shop owners committee, hotels and restaurant committee, rag pickers committee, the core committee and the programme monitoring committee is being done through trainings on segregation, composting, collection and recycling of waste. A workshop was held which 80 people attended. Through this workshop the stakeholders understood the importance of the project and their roles and responsibilities in the effective implementation of the project. The PLA exercise and focal group discussions (approx. 35-45 participants in each Focal Group Discussion) were held in the following places at different times of the year: Narendra pond, Jagannath temple Chakratirtha Road. Through these the NGO was successful in spreading the message on solid waste management throughout the community.10 Street plays were staged in the different demo areas (Narendra Kona area, Jagannath temple area, grand road and Chakratirtha road), which made the people understand the importance of solid waste management. 10 wall paintings related to solid waste management were completed. 10,000 leaflets, 500 posters related to solid waste management like non-use of polythene, process for vermin composting, reuse and recycling of plastic. Glass and paper etc. were printed and distributed in the demo areas. 5 residential welfare associations were formed in the Narendra pond area and Shree Jagannath temple area, 6 Residential welfare association in Chakratirtha road and 2 in Grand road. In each RWA there are 4 to 5 members including president and secretary. 18 tricycles have been provided to the ?safai sathis? for collecting waste in the four demo areas. This activity is being monitored by the RWAs. 2 SHGs have been formed (one male and one women SHG) by taking 11 ?safai sathis? and their wives, sisters and daughters. Awareness programs were held in schools and colleges to make the students aware of the solid waste management programme. More than 500 students and 50 teachers and lecturers were involved in the programs. One exposure visit was made to NIDAN, Patna in order to learn their successful work plan and to conserve their programme outcomes. The holies spot, Puri was cleaned and sanctity was adhered.5 schools (75 students) participated in the 2 awareness competitions that were held in Balagandi high school. 2 rallies were organized in Grand Road and sea beach with the participation of students, SHGS, volunteers, NGO staff to explore the sense of urgency of clean up drive as part of CBSWMP. 1 health camp was held which revealed that 85% of the attendees suffer from gastrointestinal disorder, 73% from water borne diseases, 47% from mosquito bite diseases, 69% from anemia and 59% from skin diseases.

Participatory learning and action exercises have been adopted on adoption of ideal waste management approaches involving the communities in making payment systems for waste collections. The base line has been developed in each of the areas identified. Three areas have been identified in the city of Puri and in each area the resident welfare societies (RWAs) have been formed. In each of these RWAs, the office bearers within the communities have been selected as members in monitoring the programs. Although these titles have been given, the idea is more of social audit of the program.

The NGO will ensure that the institutional form shall provide the Sustainability to the project and ensure involvement of women through their SHGs. The size/capacity and economic viability of the paper unit and the proper setting of the Vermin units will be ensured before they are commissioned. Govt will allocate the land for the Vermin Units and agreements will be made with the community for maintenance.

The project was basically designed with an idea of propagating the best practices on solid waste management for the general public in four selected strategic entry points irrespective of gender focus. Even in the planning and implementation process, both men and women were actively involved. Bu in the course the women evolved as major stakeholders. Great interference of women due to their keen interest and cooperation on the project, has motivated the project team to work more efficiently.

The project will organize the rag pickers and they will manage 3-4 MTs of waste daily. The wet waste will be composted and the compost will be sold. This process will be institutionalized through SHGs. A paper recycling unit will be set up through the women groups and also a plastic recycling unit is being set up to process the segregated paper and plastic wastes.