South Asia Summit 2024

December 12, 2024

Introduction:

The South Asia Summit 2024 took place at the Perungudi dump yard and addressed critical issues such as waste management, climate action, and gender equality. The theme was “New Realities, New Opportunities,” which featured over 40 sessions and 90 speakers, organized by the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) and Zigma Global Environ Solutions.

Keynote

M.P. Amith, GCC Regional Deputy Commissioner, delivered the keynote speech. He brought into light land reclamation through biomining. This process can reduce flooding in areas like Velachery.

Waste Reclamation Achievements

Prashant Singh, CEO of Blue Planet Environmental Solutions, discussed land reclamation efforts. He noted that 96 acres at Perungudi had been reclaimed by processing 1.73 million cubic meters of waste. Plans are underway to establish a new unit at Kodungaiyur dump yard. This unit aims to process 10,000 tonnes of waste daily.

Financial Aspects of Waste Processing

Zigma Global Environ Solutions has processed over 1.7 million tonnes of waste at Perungudi. The cost for this processing stands at ₹1,064.93 per cubic metre. This financial data marks the economic implications of waste management.

Aravindan Srinivasan from AVPN emphasised the need for stricter government policies. He advocated for better waste segregation and management. This would enable start-ups to reduce their processing costs effectively.

Additional Discussions

Healthcare and gender equality were also key topics. Shivani Bhatt from C40 Cities led discussions on  impacts on health. Tania Banerjee from the Boston Consulting Group focused on gender equality. Darshan Parikh from CEPT Research and Development Foundation addressed urban resilience in waste management.

The summit telld the importance of collaboration, aimed to encourage partnerships for innovative solutions in waste management and climate action. The discussions set the stage for future initiatives in South Asia.