The Energy Saving Day Celebrated
The Guntur Municipal Corporation under formal agreement with the Municipality of Bologna, a partner city under ecoBUDGET Asia Project, celebrated 15th February 2008 as “The Energy Saving Day”. Under this Initiative, the Corporation switched off the lights at Gandhi Park, Manasa Sarovaram Park, Zinna Tower and some main roads of central lighting in the City from evening 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm.
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Deputy Commissioner participated in this programme. On this occasion the Mayor said, the main aim of this initiative was to bring awareness in the people and stimulate them personally on the conservation of energy.
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Deputy Commissioner participated in this programme. On this occasion the Mayor said, the main aim of this initiative was to bring awareness in the people and stimulate them personally on the conservation of energy.
The Final Conference on ecoBUDGET at Hyderabad, India
The Final Conference on ecoBUDGET - An Innovative System for Natural Resource Management & Urban Governance was held on 11th October, 2007 in Hyderabad. It was organized by Guntur Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) South Asia as part of the “ecoBUDGET-ASIA” project, funded by the Asia-Urbs programme of the European Union.
Guntur (India) is the first South Asian City to implement ecoBUDGET concept in association with ICLEI as part of ecoBUDGET ASIA programme. The project commenced in December 2004 with two local governments from Europe – Bologna (Italy), Växjö (Sweden), and two local governments from Asia - Guntur (India) and Bohol (Philippines) as partners. The project has been implemented for the past two years successfully with the Guntur Municipal Corporation meeting all the short term targets and progressing towards the long term ones.
The chief objective of the workshop was to present the ecoBUDGET programme and its results for the Guntur city. Through the case studies of Guntur and Bohol, where ecoBudget has been used, the workshop discussed ecoBUDGET as an innovative, flexible and replicable system for resource management and urban governance for cities in Asia.
The programme was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Transport for Andhra Pradesh, Sri Kanna Lakshminarayana. The programme was attended by about 70 participants from different cities of the country including Gwalior, Ujjain, Katni, Vishakhapatnam, Anantpur, Kakinada, Shimla, Hyderabad and Guntur, apart from the delegates from Bologna, Italy, Vaxjo, Sweden, and Bohol, Philippines, who were the partner cities of the project. The conference was divided into 3 technical sessions dealing with the implementation of ecoBUDGET in the partner cities and their experiences. Through presentations and open discussions, the workshop brought out the utility of ecoBUDGET in achieving sustainable development and incorporating environmental consciousness at the administrative level. Professor R. Rama Rao was a special speaker who presented his views on the possibility of incorporation of the concept of ecoBUDGET in the JNNURM cities. The concluding remarks were made by Mr. Vikram Roy, Advisor, Economic Cooperation, European Union, who spoke on the need to motivate the staff of municipal corporations and the linkages with institutions, financial sustainability through charges of services to public. He stressed on the need to promote small scale solutions to the problems of development of a city.
Guntur (India) is the first South Asian City to implement ecoBUDGET concept in association with ICLEI as part of ecoBUDGET ASIA programme. The project commenced in December 2004 with two local governments from Europe – Bologna (Italy), Växjö (Sweden), and two local governments from Asia - Guntur (India) and Bohol (Philippines) as partners. The project has been implemented for the past two years successfully with the Guntur Municipal Corporation meeting all the short term targets and progressing towards the long term ones.
The chief objective of the workshop was to present the ecoBUDGET programme and its results for the Guntur city. Through the case studies of Guntur and Bohol, where ecoBudget has been used, the workshop discussed ecoBUDGET as an innovative, flexible and replicable system for resource management and urban governance for cities in Asia.
The programme was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Transport for Andhra Pradesh, Sri Kanna Lakshminarayana. The programme was attended by about 70 participants from different cities of the country including Gwalior, Ujjain, Katni, Vishakhapatnam, Anantpur, Kakinada, Shimla, Hyderabad and Guntur, apart from the delegates from Bologna, Italy, Vaxjo, Sweden, and Bohol, Philippines, who were the partner cities of the project. The conference was divided into 3 technical sessions dealing with the implementation of ecoBUDGET in the partner cities and their experiences. Through presentations and open discussions, the workshop brought out the utility of ecoBUDGET in achieving sustainable development and incorporating environmental consciousness at the administrative level. Professor R. Rama Rao was a special speaker who presented his views on the possibility of incorporation of the concept of ecoBUDGET in the JNNURM cities. The concluding remarks were made by Mr. Vikram Roy, Advisor, Economic Cooperation, European Union, who spoke on the need to motivate the staff of municipal corporations and the linkages with institutions, financial sustainability through charges of services to public. He stressed on the need to promote small scale solutions to the problems of development of a city.
Fourth Project Workshop held at Växjö, Sweden
The fourth project workshop was held at Växjö, Sweden in April 2007 where the partner cities participated to present their experiences with the implementation of ecoBUDGET in their cities. The delegations from the partner cities and ICLEI offices were welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Växjö, Mr Nils Posse, during an official dinner taking place at the Castle of Teleborg. Local politicians, members of the Environment Committee of the Council, and other officers of Växjö Municipality involved in the ecoBUDGET project were also present for the reception.
The Workshop 4 took place in a crucial moment not only at a project level but also at the global one, when environmental issues and challenges are at stake. On one hand, ICLEI has written to Tony Blair after he proposed to adopt internationally a CO2 budget as a Climate Change Bill, informing him about ecoBUDGET and the work carried out by Municipalities. And on the other, ICLEI will soon launch the ecoBUDGET roll-out strategy of together with UNHabitat.
At the workshop, the partners shared their experiences with the implementation of ecoBUDGET in their cities. The experiences from cities showed a distinct shift towards the integration of environmental and social issues.
Externalities often affect the implementation of ecoBUDGET and achievement of targets. Even if conceptually it seems simple, practically at the moment it is difficult to handle such externalities. The implementation of ecoBUDGET demonstrated a strong engagement to develop the model and a very fascinating work with local society.
The aim of the Conference was to present the experiences of various cities in applying the ecoBUDGET system and, following the presentation of the Asian cases, the launch of a debate and a panel discussion. It was felt that ecoBUDGET needs to be better marketed, taking advantage of co-operation among donors organisations.
The Workshop 4 took place in a crucial moment not only at a project level but also at the global one, when environmental issues and challenges are at stake. On one hand, ICLEI has written to Tony Blair after he proposed to adopt internationally a CO2 budget as a Climate Change Bill, informing him about ecoBUDGET and the work carried out by Municipalities. And on the other, ICLEI will soon launch the ecoBUDGET roll-out strategy of together with UNHabitat.
At the workshop, the partners shared their experiences with the implementation of ecoBUDGET in their cities. The experiences from cities showed a distinct shift towards the integration of environmental and social issues.
Externalities often affect the implementation of ecoBUDGET and achievement of targets. Even if conceptually it seems simple, practically at the moment it is difficult to handle such externalities. The implementation of ecoBUDGET demonstrated a strong engagement to develop the model and a very fascinating work with local society.
The aim of the Conference was to present the experiences of various cities in applying the ecoBUDGET system and, following the presentation of the Asian cases, the launch of a debate and a panel discussion. It was felt that ecoBUDGET needs to be better marketed, taking advantage of co-operation among donors organisations.
Guntur hosts the 3rd ecoBUDGET Meeting
ecoBUDGET – Asia project partners Bologna (Italy), Bohol (Philippines), and Växjö (Sweden) recently traveled to Guntur (India) to attend the 3rd partners meeting of the ecoBUDGET project.
Generously hosted by the Guntur Municipal Corporation, the main goals of the meeting were to:
1. verify the progress of the partners in implementing ecoBUDGET;
2. review the Environmental Master Budgets of both Guntur and Tubigon (Bohol’s pilot municipality);
3. discuss project management issues; and
4. carry on the initial preparation of an Asian version of the ecoBUDGET manual.
It was also an opportunity to compare and contrast administrative/political systems, environmental issues and community response.
The Guntur Muncipal Corporation took this opportunity as meeting host to showcase their target projects, as well as ongoing and planned measures relevant to their Environmental Master Budget. Their priority areas are water quality and quantity, waste management, urban greening and air quality. During the city tour, delegates from Bologna, having been to Gunter twice before, noted significant improvements in street maintenance, which includes cleanliness, structures, and the organization of street hawkers.
The representatives from Bohol and Tubigon reported at the meeting that targets had so far been exceeded in the accounting for non-revenue water, and the number of households segregating their waste.
Generously hosted by the Guntur Municipal Corporation, the main goals of the meeting were to:
1. verify the progress of the partners in implementing ecoBUDGET;
2. review the Environmental Master Budgets of both Guntur and Tubigon (Bohol’s pilot municipality);
3. discuss project management issues; and
4. carry on the initial preparation of an Asian version of the ecoBUDGET manual.
It was also an opportunity to compare and contrast administrative/political systems, environmental issues and community response.
The Guntur Muncipal Corporation took this opportunity as meeting host to showcase their target projects, as well as ongoing and planned measures relevant to their Environmental Master Budget. Their priority areas are water quality and quantity, waste management, urban greening and air quality. During the city tour, delegates from Bologna, having been to Gunter twice before, noted significant improvements in street maintenance, which includes cleanliness, structures, and the organization of street hawkers.
The representatives from Bohol and Tubigon reported at the meeting that targets had so far been exceeded in the accounting for non-revenue water, and the number of households segregating their waste.
ecoBUDGET – ASIA – 2nd field visit to GUNTUR
Bologna Team comprises Ms. Pamela Lama, Project Manager, Bologna Municipality, International Relations, Cooperation and Project Unit of the Mayor’s cabinet, Ms.Raffaella Gueze, ecoBUDGET expert and techinical coordinator, Bologna Municipality and Mr. Gabriele Magli from HERA (Local Public Multi-utility in charge of waste, water and energy) from Italy; and Emani Kumar, Executive Director, ICLEI South-Asia visited Guntur, India from 19th to 23rd June 2006. It is the fourth event of the three-years project, commenced in January 2005 and lasting to December 2007.
The field visit encompassed numerous aspects, like:
1. Discussions with all the ecoBUDGET devoted departments such as water, engineering, town planning, revenue and public health on project implementtation.
2. Discussions with the newly elected GMC councilors on General ecoBUDGET, Guntur Master ecoBUDGET, its implementation and a presentation on City of Bolonga and their ecoBUDGET system.
3. Site visit to understand by HERA expert about road sweeping, waste collection, waste transportation and waste disposal system.
4. Visit to Sriram Energies plant to know about the waste pelletisation and waste to energy systems.
5. Visit to Takkellapadu water head works to understnd about the water treatment system.
6. Meetings with stakeholders which include several NGOs (Aasara, Loksatta, Rate Payers Association), Industrialists, and other Government officilas from Pollution Control Board and Road Public Trasport to get suggestions on ecoBUDGET implementation.
Through the valuable contribution of all the above people, the ecoBUDGET team, formed by local personnel and visiting delegation achieved many results, among which:
a) The creation of Responsibility (from GMC officers and Project Coordinators) and Measures document for implementation of ecoBUDGET.
b) A road map to implement the ecoBUDGET indicators till March 2007
c) Observations/suggestions such as
d) To manage the solid waste and water supply system in Guntur city
e) Promise to keep a water quality testing kit with stakeholders to check the water quality parameters.
f) To purchase a HVS to monitor the air quality
g) Constitution of a "Stakeholder Committee" to monitor the results of ecoBUDGET.
The field visit encompassed numerous aspects, like:
1. Discussions with all the ecoBUDGET devoted departments such as water, engineering, town planning, revenue and public health on project implementtation.
2. Discussions with the newly elected GMC councilors on General ecoBUDGET, Guntur Master ecoBUDGET, its implementation and a presentation on City of Bolonga and their ecoBUDGET system.
3. Site visit to understand by HERA expert about road sweeping, waste collection, waste transportation and waste disposal system.
4. Visit to Sriram Energies plant to know about the waste pelletisation and waste to energy systems.
5. Visit to Takkellapadu water head works to understnd about the water treatment system.
6. Meetings with stakeholders which include several NGOs (Aasara, Loksatta, Rate Payers Association), Industrialists, and other Government officilas from Pollution Control Board and Road Public Trasport to get suggestions on ecoBUDGET implementation.
Through the valuable contribution of all the above people, the ecoBUDGET team, formed by local personnel and visiting delegation achieved many results, among which:
a) The creation of Responsibility (from GMC officers and Project Coordinators) and Measures document for implementation of ecoBUDGET.
b) A road map to implement the ecoBUDGET indicators till March 2007
c) Observations/suggestions such as
• Network from different sources to interconnect, so that there will be less interruption in water supply during repairs
• First water network should be covered for entire city with proper location of additional reserviors before going for replacement of old pipes
• Install flow meters at each reservoir
• Paving of all roads will help easy collection of solid waste
• Place more dustbins in the streets, especially at the markets, restaurants, etc.
• Clean the area around the dumperbins everyday
• Implement the segregation system on tri-cycles particularly to separate organic to bring waste to a compost plant
• Make arrangements to purchase/sell the recyclable materials, so that more recycling can take place and reduce the quantity of waste
• Plant more trees around the dumpsite to avoid the dust to fly out of the site
d) To manage the solid waste and water supply system in Guntur city
e) Promise to keep a water quality testing kit with stakeholders to check the water quality parameters.
f) To purchase a HVS to monitor the air quality
g) Constitution of a "Stakeholder Committee" to monitor the results of ecoBUDGET.
