Tag: Environment

EduConnect

ATAL Nirnay – Goa Codes 2026: CARES Leads Goa’s Green Innovation Movement

Tanisha Cardozo

“ATAL Nirnay – Goa Codes 2026” has emerged as a significant student-driven initiative aimed at addressing pressing environmental challenges in the State, particularly those related to pollution and waste management. Conceptualised with the philosophy that meaningful change begins with responsible individual decisions, the competition encourages students from Classes VI to IX to actively participate in environmental transformation through innovation, technology, awareness and community engagement.

The 28-day structured challenge commenced on February 2, 2026, with statewide orientation sessions for Heads of Institutions. The format recognises that building sustainable habits requires consistent effort, encouraging long-term waste segregation practices, environmental accountability and community awareness rather than one-day activities. The focus extends beyond participation to nurturing lasting environmental values among students.

The competition integrates eco-awareness, robotics and innovation through five structured events: the Smart Waste Solution Challenge, Garbage Awareness Campaign from Home to Community, Clean Goa Action Drive, Digital Awareness Campaign, and Study and Documentation. Students identify real waste management challenges, design innovative models and prototypes using Robotics Hardware Kits provided under the CARES scheme, conduct awareness initiatives and document measurable environmental impact.

The initiative is organised by the Project Management Unit under the CARES Scheme of the Directorate of Technical Education Goa, in association with Goa Waste Management Corporation. A total of 688 teams from schools across Goa have registered, reflecting widespread participation and enthusiasm. GWMC is facilitating infrastructure for waste collection during cleanliness drives and will coordinate on identified “Black Spots” where waste frequently accumulates, ensuring student activities connect directly with governance mechanisms.

Mentorship support is being provided by Teach for Goa Fellows, who are guiding schools with technical assistance and coordination. Teachers and students have been trained in the use of Robotics Hardware Kits to develop practical eco-tech solutions, effectively blending environmental awareness with technological skill development.

Attractive cash prizes have been announced to encourage active participation. State-level winners will receive ₹50,000 for first place, ₹40,000 for second place and ₹30,000 for third place, with additional consolation and taluka-level awards. The prize money will be awarded to the respective schools.

ATAL Nirnay represents a grassroots movement aimed at fostering positivity and cleanliness across Goa, beginning from homes, classrooms and neighbourhoods. By reinforcing the idea that small individual actions can generate extraordinary community impact, the initiative aspires to cultivate a culture of sustainability, responsibility and innovation across the State.

Social

Glass Injuries on Goa’s Beaches Spotlight Deposit Refund Scheme as Preventive Solution

Tanisha Cardozo

Recurring injuries caused by broken glass on Goa’s beaches have once again drawn attention to how waste is managed after consumption, particularly along the state’s most visited coastal stretches. As concerns grow over visitor safety and tourism reputation, Goa’s newly introduced Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) is increasingly being viewed as a practical and incentivised solution to prevent glass litter before it reaches the sand.

In January this year alone, two beachgoers required first aid after suffering cuts from broken glass along the popular North Goa shoreline. Data sourced from Drishti Marine, the Goa government-appointed beach safety agency, indicates that glass-related injuries were reported in 2025 from beaches including Anjuna, Arambol, Baga, Benaulim, Calangute, Colva and Palolem. In 2024, similar cases were recorded at Betalbatim, Morjim, Velsao, Baina and Palolem. The recurring pattern highlights an ongoing safety concern tied to discarded and often buried glass bottles.

Stakeholders connected to the tourism industry say the issue affects both residents and visitors. Carlos Souza, convenor of the Confederation of Indian Industries’ Goa panel on Tourism, emphasised that glass litter is a safety hazard that undermines the visitor experience and the everyday use of public spaces. Shack owners echo the concern, noting that bottles are frequently brought onto beaches, consumed, and either left behind or buried in the sand, only to resurface and cause injuries later.

Cruz Cardoz, president of the Shack Owners Association, has suggested that a deposit system for bottles sold near beaches could help address the problem. His suggestion aligns closely with the thinking behind the Deposit Refund Scheme currently being rolled out by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Goa. Under the DRS, consumers pay a refundable deposit at the point of purchase, which is returned when the empty container, including glass bottles, is brought back to an authorised collection point.

Dr Anthony de Sa, who heads the DRS Scheme Administrator Committee, has explained that the scheme was designed to cover waste streams that typically escape collection due to their low resale value, such as multi-layered plastics and certain packaging materials. While high-value waste like PET bottles and beer bottles are often recovered, low-value items such as snack wrappers and juice cartons are frequently left behind because they are costly to collect and transport. The DRS seeks to address this imbalance by creating an incentive at the source of consumption.

The broader objective of the scheme is not merely to clean up waste after it enters drains, beaches or public spaces, but to encourage its return before it becomes litter. By incentivising both consumers and waste collectors, policymakers hope to drive a behavioural shift in disposal practices and encourage more responsible packaging choices by manufacturers.

For tourism-dependent communities and beach businesses, such measures are increasingly seen as necessary. With Goa’s economy closely linked to its coastal appeal, recurring glass injuries serve as a reminder that environmental management and visitor safety are inseparable. As the DRS rollout progresses, its effectiveness in reducing glass litter on beaches may well become a key test of how policy-driven incentives can translate into safer and cleaner public spaces.

Social

Goa’s Deposit Refund Scheme Promises Fairer Returns and Dignity for Informal Waste Collectors

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, January 2026 — As Goa’s waste burden continues to rise, a new state government–led Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) is set to reshape how value is extracted from discarded materials. The reform is expected to have its most significant impact on informal waste collectors, who have sustained Goa’s recycling economy for decades while receiving only a fraction of the returns it generates.


Goa produces approximately 766 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day—nearly 2.8 lakh tonnes annually. While urban waste collection has achieved near-universal coverage, gaps remain in treatment and recycling. Operating within this gap are informal waste collectors, who recover recyclables from homes, streets and dumping sites, often in unsafe conditions and for minimal compensation that rarely reflects their labour.

Currently, PET bottles fetch between ₹15 and ₹25 per kilogram or around 50 bottles—often translating to less than 50 paise per bottle. Glass bottles earn roughly ₹2 per unit, while multi-layered plastic packaging, commonly used for snacks and biscuits, has little to no resale value and is frequently left uncollected. National estimates indicate that such packaging constitutes 30 to 40 per cent of plastic waste, much of which ultimately ends up in landfills.

India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework was designed to address these disparities by shifting the cost of waste recovery to producers. In practice, however, EPR credits are largely traded between companies and recyclers, with limited financial benefit reaching those who physically collect the waste.

According to Dr Anthony de Sa, chairperson of the committee overseeing the implementation of the Goa DRS project under the Department of Environment and Climate Change, the scheme seeks to correct this long-standing imbalance. “DRS rewards responsible behaviour towards waste management, creates better income opportunities for the informal sector and addresses the peculiar waste management challenges of a tourism-driven region like Goa,” he said.

The Goa Deposit Refund System, notified in 2024, introduces a refundable deposit on select packaged products. The deposit is returned directly to whoever brings the item to an authorised collection point. Under the scheme, the standard refundable deposit is ₹5 per package, while alcohol sold in glass bottles carries a ₹10 deposit. Items priced between ₹5 and ₹20 attract a ₹2 deposit. Refunds are processed instantly.

For informal waste collectors, the shift could be transformative. Under the new model, collecting 50 PET bottles could earn up to ₹250—more than ten times current earnings. Glass bottles could fetch ₹10 per unit, a fivefold increase. For the first time, multi-layered plastic packaging could generate income, with collectors earning ₹200 for every 100 packets returned.

By directly linking waste recovery to financial return and enabling formal registration of collectors, the DRS aims not only to improve recycling rates but also to bring dignity, visibility and fair compensation to those at the foundation of Goa’s waste management ecosystem.

Events in Goa

Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026 to Celebrate Nature, Culture and Community at Art Park, Campal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026 will be held from 17th to 19th January at Art Park, Campal, Panaji. The three-day festival is being organised by the Goa Forest Development Corporation Ltd. (GFDC) with the aim of celebrating Goa’s rich forest heritage, biodiversity and indigenous knowledge systems, while fostering a deeper connection between nature and local communities.

Dr. Deviya Rane, while briefing the media, stated that the festival is envisioned as more than just an event. She described it as a celebration of Goa’s forests and the cultural, ecological and social values rooted within them. Against the backdrop of growing environmental challenges, the festival aims to promote conservation awareness in an engaging, inclusive and accessible manner for people of all age groups.

She outlined three key objectives of the Goa Forest Diversity Festival: to educate and sensitise citizens, particularly children and youth, about forest conservation and biodiversity; to celebrate traditional wisdom, culture and sustainable practices rooted in forest ecosystems; and to foster a shared sense of responsibility towards protecting and preserving Goa’s natural heritage.

Over the course of three days, the festival will offer a vibrant mix of education, culture and celebration. One of the major highlights will be the Angon Experience, an immersive traditional space that brings indigenous practices to life through live demonstrations, storytelling and interactive sessions. Dr. Rane described Angon as a signature attraction that will offer visitors rare insights into sustainable forest-based living.

The festival will also feature authentic tribal cuisine, showcasing traditional forest-based food practices and flavours. A Green Bazaar will be set up to display eco-friendly products, forest produce and items that promote sustainable living.

Cultural performances will form a key component of the festival programme, including traditional folk dances such as Morulo, Jagor acts, Fugdi and other regional performances. A special musical performance by Sonia Shirsat is scheduled on Day 1, while band performances will take place on Day 2 and Day 3.

The festival will also spotlight inclusion through performances such as the Goff Dance on Wheels by the Disability Alliance for Inclusive Goa, along with impactful theatre productions like “Mhaka Naka Plastic”, which convey strong messages on conservation and social responsibility.

Dr. Rane emphasised that the Goa Forest Diversity Festival is a one-of-its-kind initiative, thoughtfully curated to bring together conservation, culture, inclusion and community engagement on a single platform. She also revealed that a special surprise element has been planned and will be unveiled during the inaugural ceremony.

Appealing to the media, Dr. Rane sought their continued support in spreading awareness about the festival and encouraging public participation, highlighting the vital role of media in taking the message of conservation beyond the venue and into homes across Goa.

Citizens are invited to visit Art Park, Campal, from 17th to 19th January 2026 and be part of this unique celebration of nature, culture and community.

National

Severe Delhi Smog: Singapore High Commission Issues Advisory to Nationals as AQI Crosses 400

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral National Desk

As Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘severe’ category on Monday, the Singapore High Commission in India issued an advisory for its nationals residing in the Delhi-NCR region, urging them to follow official health guidelines and remain cautious amid worsening pollution levels. According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app, the overall Air Quality Index in the capital stood at 437 at 2 pm, with all monitoring stations recording readings of 400 or above.

The advisory was shared by the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi through its official X handle, noting that on December 13, 2025, the Indian authorities invoked Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan, the highest level of pollution control measures in the Delhi National Capital Region. Under GRAP Stage 4, construction and industrial activities are heavily restricted, while schools and offices are encouraged to shift to a hybrid mode of functioning.

The High Commission highlighted that the Delhi government has advised residents, particularly children and individuals with respiratory or cardiac ailments, to stay indoors and to wear masks when stepping outside. In light of this, the High Commission urged Singapore nationals in the region to pay heed to the advisory and prioritise their health and safety.

The advisory also cautioned travellers about possible disruptions to flight operations due to low visibility caused by thick smog. The Indira Gandhi International Airport and several airlines have issued advisories regarding delays, cancellations and diversions, prompting the High Commission to ask travellers to stay in touch with their respective airlines for real-time updates. A contact point was also provided for Singapore nationals requiring consular assistance.

The severe air quality and dense smog have engulfed the national capital for the third consecutive day, significantly impacting daily life and air travel. The CPCB categorises air quality as ‘moderate’ between AQI levels of 101 and 200, ‘poor’ between 201 and 300, ‘very poor’ between 301 and 400, and ‘severe’ for readings above 400. AQI levels of 450 and above fall under ‘severe plus’, while a reading of 500 is considered seriously dangerous.

According to airport authorities, over 400 flights at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed, with 61 cancellations and five diversions reported. In an operational update issued at 2 pm, the Delhi airport said that runway visibility had improved and flight operations were gradually returning to normal. However, it cautioned that some arrivals and departures could still be affected and advised passengers to remain in contact with their airlines for the latest information.