First Meeting of 2009 : 10 Jan !

Epoch making meeting. Minutes are below :
The meeting started with introductions and mingling at 10AM on 10 Jan 2009.

Attendees : Shekhar, Deepak, Pradeep, Anitha, Sandeep, Rakesh (he is doing well), Adarsh (he is back in Bengaluru), Ajith, Roopa.

1. It has been acknowledged that Clean and Green needs to completely focus on getting the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary declared a plastic free zone. The options are a) stop the ingress of plastic into these places b) responsibly manage the waste generated there
The decision on which of these options will be implemented would be arrived at, as part of the discussions and negotiations with the Administrative machinery of the Taluka. Admin Dept - meaning DC of the Taluka and/or the Tourism Dept of the State.

2. Activities ahead to accomplish this objective :
We need to establish contact with the Administrative system :the DC of the Taluka. As a team, we need to present a proposal to the DC and get a complete buy-in to the solution proposed. Presently we need to take the first steps to find out how to connect with the DC - members who are taking this forward are Deepak and Anitha.. They are to revert on the milestone dates of all their activities.the Tourism Department as a stakeholder, to check if they will participate in ensuring a litter free Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. The contact to be established through the MD of JLR. Sandeep will be setting up a meeting with the MD in the coming week. Roopa to represent Clean and Green with the MD to get his buy-in and a reference to the Tourism Department in the State Govt.

Imparting Eduation to the Local Population :
There has been no doubt that educating the local population and thereby get their participation is paramount to making this plastic free implementation successful. Therefore we need to make regular and systematic visits to Mutthathi and Sangam, and interface with the locals.
A small team of 3 to 4 members is required to be formed. This team will coordinate weekly visits to Mutthathi and Sangam (in an alternate manner).
The core team will be the coordinating team. They will seek volunteers from within CnG, other environmental related e-groups, our various Corporate sponsors and their volunteer teams, to form a team of 4 to 5 volunteers for each week.
Such team of about 4 to 5 volunteers, would make a visit to Mutthathi and Sangam with the purpose of educating the local population, shop keepers, the priest, the temple purohit. These visits and the education imparted would help to gain the confidence of the local population in the measures to be implemented for a plastic litter free picnic spots
We are seeking volunteers from within Clean and Green to coordinate this part of the activity.

Bins and Boards : The success of the implementation of the project also depends on adequate infrastructure being available at the picnic spots. So the team of Rakesh, Adarsh, Sandeep and Pradeep will handle the placing of bins and signborads on a turn-key basis. This task entails assessing how many bins and signboards would need to be placed, order them and get sponsors to fund the infrastructure, and execute the same.

Roopa to provide a list of contact who have envinced interest in sponsoring these items

Am hoping I have captured the essence of the meeting, please add in case ...