Thiruvananthapuram district declared garbage-free

Thiruvananthapuram district declared garbage-free after successful waste management campaign, setting an example for the entire country.

The Thiruvananthapuram district was declared garbage-free on Monday, marking the culmination of activities related to the Kerala government’s Malinya Muktham Navakeralam waste management campaign in all local bodies in the district. Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil, who made the declaration at a function in the capital, said that the campaign sowed the seeds of a big change in the minds of Malayalis.

He said that the activities of the Haritha Karma Sena, which were involved in collection, segregation and disposal of waste, were a model to the entire country. The capital had come a long way from the early days of organised waste management activities over two decades in the capital, which was beset with difficult challenges. The piles of waste which were visible in the city in the past had now disappeared following the Malinya Muktham Navakeralam campaign.

“Today is a moment that everyone can be proud of. The collective efforts of the local self-government institutions have enabled Thiruvananthapuram district to be declared waste-free,” he said.

Mr. Anil said that the fact that the declaration had been made did not mean that the city was completely waste-free, as waste management was a continuous process. The efforts to change the mindset of the population against dumping waste in public places should also continue. Reflective of the widespread habit of throwing waste in public spaces, a total amount of ₹9 crore was imposed as fine for throwing waste during the campaign period.

The Minister also distributed awards to the local bodies which excelled in waste management in the district. Ottoor was selected as the best grama panchayat in waste management while Manamboor was chosen as the second best grama panchayat. Attingal won the award for the best municipality, with Varkala coming second. The Varkala block also won the award in the best block panchayat category, while Kilimanoor block came second. Snehatheeram BUDS School in Mangalapuram grama panchayat was selected as the best institution in implementing waste management initiatives.

District panchayat president D. Sureshkumar presided over the function. District Collector Anu Kumari made a district-level status presentation. Additional District Magistrate Beena P. Anand, Varkala municipal chairperson K.M. Laji and officials from various departments were present.