New Delhi, June 23: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has called upon Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) across the national capital to adopt decentralized waste management practices, citing Navjeevan Vihar as a successful model of a ‘Zero Waste Colony’ that has diverted more than 10 lakh kilograms of waste from landfill sites over the past eight years.
During a visit to Navjeevan Vihar, the Lieutenant Governor inspected the colony’s Reduce-Reuse-Recycle (RRR) Centre, decentralized composting units, source-segregation systems and community-driven rainwater harvesting infrastructure.
Model Colony Reflects Mission LiFE Vision
Sandhu said the transformation of Navjeevan Vihar reflects the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and embodies the principles of a circular economy under the Waste to Wealth initiative.
He commended the efforts of the Resident Welfare Association and local residents for sustaining the model for nearly eight years and significantly reducing the burden on Delhi’s landfill sites through systematic waste segregation and recycling.
‘Waste to Wealth Begins at Home’
Emphasizing the importance of public participation, the Lieutenant Governor said sustainable waste management cannot be achieved solely through government intervention.
“The journey from waste to wealth begins at home. Sustainable waste management requires active citizen participation and long-term behavioural change,” he said.
Sandhu urged RWAs across Delhi to study the Navjeevan Vihar model and implement similar decentralized systems that prioritize waste segregation at source, composting and recycling.
Focus on Recycling and Water Conservation
The Lieutenant Governor noted that the colony’s efforts in waste segregation, composting, recycling and rainwater harvesting have created a sustainable urban ecosystem and demonstrated how local communities can play a pivotal role in environmental conservation.
He said such initiatives not only reduce waste going to landfills but also promote responsible consumption and resource conservation.
Support for Community-Led Initiatives
Describing the project as an example of collective civic responsibility, Sandhu said community-driven efforts are essential for building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Delhi.
He assured that RWAs implementing similar environmental initiatives would receive full support and assistance from the administration.
Officials said the Navjeevan Vihar model is being viewed as a potential template for decentralized waste management that could be replicated in residential colonies across the capital as Delhi seeks long-term solutions to waste disposal and environmental sustainability challenges.
