Aligned with the Government’s vision of scaling the island region’s blue economy efforts via investments in infrastructure, research and policy frameworks – the PwC India Foundation and Dakshin Foundation are collaborating on a pilot to scale intervention focusing on creating a sustainable solid waste management system in the Andamans. The initiative aims to address rising concerns of improper waste management which pose a significant threat to blue economies by endangering marine ecosystems and coastal areas.
The intervention aims to enhance local communities, tourism-related businesses, and the Department of Environment and Forest, Andaman and Nicobar Administration through an interdisciplinary approach. It involves collaboration at the Gram Panchayat level, local communities, women self-help groups, tourism-related business owners, and the Department of Environment and Forest. Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC in India and PwC India Foundation, said, “Our specialists focused on climate, energy, water and circular economy are working on developing policies and frameworks to leverage the rich biodiversity in the region and unlock the scalable potential here.”
The pilot intervention expanded the solid waste management system to 110 new households, bringing its total reach to around 350 households. The PwC India Foundation grant enabled Dakshin Foundation to support the Wandoor Gram Panchayat (WGP) by hiring additional sanitary workers that were critical to the expansion to new households.
