Thiruvananthapuram: A group of youngsters in the Kerala capital is making an attempt to revive agricultural practices and thereby address waste disposal issues. The youth are members of the Thiruvananthapuram district collector Dr K Vasuki’s Collector’s internship programme. The project is being implemented in Thiruvananthapuram district.
Under a project named C Power 5, which is implemented by the district administration with the support of voluntary organisations, experts and students promote an environmental friendly lifestyle that would help secure the future of the coming generations. Its activities cover empowering the society to tackle global warming, reducing the use of plastic, promoting organic vegetable cultivation, creating an ecofriendly attitude and bringing out products that are not harmful to nature.
The project is guided by Tourism, Devaswom and Co-operation minister Kadakampally Surendran and district collector Dr K Vasuki IAS. Pelican Foundation, Builders Association of India, TCCI, Terumo Penpol and SFS Homes are supporting C power 5.
Three initiatives are being implemented under the project. They are Udyanam, Samrudhi and Sthithi.
Udyanam project
Waste management and proper disposal of plastic have become crucial issues in the light of choking of water bodies and rise of infectious diseases. Under the Udyanam (garden) project, garbage dumped in the open will be removed and people will be made aware of sustainable waste management methods. The programme has been implemented at six spots in the city, including Jawahar Nagar, Mettukada, Thycaud, Karamana and Kannammoola.
After removing the garbage, flowering plants are arranged at the spot in grow-bags. Beautification is also carried out by creating art on the walls.
Udyanam project is underway with the support of Terumo Penpol, a leading manufacturer of blood bags.
Various stages of the project
1. Garbage dumps are identified in corporation limits.
2. A date is fixed for clearing the garbage after holding discussions with the ward councilor, local SI, residents’ association office bearers and health inspector.
3. Area is cleaned with the support of volunteers from school and college.
4. Details regarding plastic use and disposal are collected from the residents’ associations.
5. Community engagement programmes titled ‘Naranga Mittai’ are conducted.
C Power 5 denotes ‘Change can change climate change’.
