The Hindu - Kerala 31.07.2009

Paloli for public participation in waste disposal

A Correspondent

KATTAPPANA: Minister for Local Administration Paloli Mohammed Kutty has said that public participation is needed to control and safely dispose of wastes including non-biodegradable wastes.

Inaugurating the vermi-compost unit of the Kumily grama panchayat on Thursday, the Minister said that accumulated wastes are the breeding ground for contagious diseases that easily spread during the monsoon season.

The vermi compost unit is part of the Rs.93-lakh waste treatment plant to be set up in the grama panchayat as part of the ‘Clean Kumily, Green Kumily’ project.

Under the project, the wastes will be classified into biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes at the point of collection itself. Biodegradable waste will be treated at the vermin-compost unit to make organic manure.

The non-biodegradable wastes, which include plastics and glass items, will be moved to the solid waste treatment plant.

The wastes generated in houses, flats hotels and home-stay facilities will be collected on a regular basis. Field staff known as ‘Parisara Sevika’ will be appointed to monitor the waste collection and provide awareness campaign among the public.

The plan to set up a waste treatment plant was evolved after it was found that the highly-polluted Mullaperiyar Lake in Thekkady was affecting the lives of wild animals in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It was also noticed that unauthorised slaughter houses and hotels were dumping wastes into the lake, which is the main drinking water source for wild animals.

The Minister called upon the local bodies to create a waste management system with public participation to manage waste disposal. This, according to him, can check wastes generated there and protect the environment for future generations.

He asked the local bodies to give priority in creating healthy environment and take steps to effectively control non-biodegradable items.

“The government is committed to ensuring healthy surroundings and protection of environment,” he said.

Houseless people

Mr. Mohammed Kutty said that there are five lakh houseless people in the State, and government will focus on providing them houses to live.