Aryanad
Grama Panchayat

In the development of a country, one aspect that is often deliberately overlooked, yet among the most important, is waste management. Even though we may rank high on development indicators, the most troubling problem in our country is the inadequacy of scientific waste management systems. Even when individuals maintain a high level of personal hygiene, it is common to see public spaces turning into garbage dumps. It is in this context that the fire at the Brahmapuram waste plant became a topic of discussion and provided an opportunity to reflect on where we stand in the field of waste management. It is not the lack of laws that has led to such a situation in our country; rather, it is the failure to properly implement them, the public's ignorance of cleanliness in common spaces as a civic duty, and the fact that scientific waste management has not yet been ingrained as a cultural practice.

In the context of the Brahmapuram waste issue, with the aim of changing the current waste management mindset in Kerala and promoting waste management as a public consciousness and cultural practice, the 'Waste-Free New Kerala Health Awareness 2023' campaign was launched in accordance with the Kerala High Court's order dated 21/03/2023 in WP(C) No. 7844/2023(S) and the circular No. WM3/38/2023-LSGD dated 08/03/2023. As part of this, based on the High Court order, Amicus Curiae and district-level monitoring squads have been appointed to conduct inspections at the local government level, and these inspections are being carried out.

In the village area of Aryanad Gram Panchayat, problems related to waste are generally minimal. The Harithakarmasena properly segregates non-biodegradable waste and hands it over to the waste processing agency. However, this does not mean that the issue of waste has been completely tackled. As part of the Malinyamuktha Nava Kerala Health Awareness 2023 campaign, activities were initiated in Aryanad Gram Panchayat with the aim of fully implementing systems for processing biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and maintaining clean public spaces. Let Aryanad Gram Panchayat be a model for the state in the field of waste management.

As part of the organic waste management program in Aryanad Grama Panchayat, there are MCFs and 44 mini MCFs across 18 wards. The Green Karma Sena collects plastic products from homes and institutions, segregates them, stores them in the MCF, and hands them over to companies like Clean Kerala, MECHDRIVE INTL PVT LTD, and QUILON POLYMERS. Organic waste is removed according to the transportation plan for the respective months. The GPS information of the loads taken by the companies is provided to the panchayat.

For organic waste processing, under the M.G.N.R.G.S. project in previous years, 289 sock pits and 10 compost pits were included and constructed.

In the Aryanad Panchayat, 31 bottle booths have been set up in various areas. 20 CCTV cameras have been installed to identify those who litter in public places.

At the community level, Thumboormuzhi and a biogas plant were established for the processing of organic waste, and training was provided regarding their operation. Measures are being taken to ensure the availability of inoculants.

Under the leadership of public representatives, health awareness committees participated in waste management activities. Ward-level health awareness committee meetings were convened under the leadership of ward members and health department staff, and numerous awareness classes were conducted in various parts of the panchayat. Under the leadership of health department staff and ASHA workers, water purification activities were carried out in about 3,000 water sources, including domestic wells.

Under the leadership of public representatives, MGNREGS workers, Green Corps members, Kudumbashree members, and volunteers organized cleaning campaigns at the ward level. Areas with excessive waste accumulation were identified, and the waste was removed and cleaned. Streams and canals where water flow was obstructed due to waste accumulation were cleared of waste and cleaned.

With the help of the Harithakarma Sena and members of Kudumbashree, surveys were conducted regarding waste management systems in homes and institutions, and remedial actions were taken.

In collaboration with Kudumbashree, waste management was identified as a key agenda, neighborhood meetings were convened, issues and solutions related to waste management were discussed, and remedial actions were taken.

The governing committee decided and implemented that for all services provided through the panchayat office with the aim of mandatorily collecting user fees from all households and institutions, the use of the Haritha Karma Sena user fee card is mandatory.

A notice has been issued strictly prohibiting the use of single-use plastic products at weddings, other ceremonies, and public events held in auditoriums and halls within the panchayat's jurisdiction, and further action has been taken.

An announcement was made and further action taken stating that ceremonies can only be organized in places of worship and other community institutions within the Panchayat limits by adhering to green rules.