The New Indian Express 06.06.2013
The premises of Kochi Corporation’s solid waste treatment plant at
Brahmapuram is notorious for its unbearable stench. However, the area
will soon wear a green look, with the launch of agriculture initiatives
on its premises.
To mark World Environment Day the Corporation
launched a project to cultivate paddy in 2.5 acres near the plant on
Wednesday. Mayor Tony Chammany inaugurated the initiative by sowing
seeds.
“The Corporation’s policy is that no piece of land should
be left barren. It has 106 acres at Brahmapuram of which about 10 to 12
acres has been taken up by the plant,” said Health Standing Committee
chairman T K Ashraf. The project is being implemented with technical
assistance from Krishi Bhavan, Vadakkekkara. “The high yielding seed
‘Kanchana’ will be used,” he said. The project would help develop a
green lung around the plant area. “The Corporation is already
cultivating various vegetables and banana on the premises of plant,” he
said.
The Corporation has deployed employees on contract for
maintaining the field. If everything goes well, the yield can be
harvested after 120 days,” Ashraf said.