Thiruvananthapuram, June 5 (Representative) After accomplishing the goals set for the first phase of the Rapid Action Plan launched to keep Kerala clean and litter-free, the Local Self Government Department (LSGD) will conduct Haritha Sabhas (Green Assemblies) across the state on World Environment Day on June 5, with the active participation of Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs). The Haritha Sabhas, one of India’s largest awareness campaigns with an expected attendance of more than two lakh people, will thoroughly evaluate the outcome of ‘State with No Waste’ campaign conducted from March 15, 2023 to June 1, 2023, and lay down the road map for taking the plan forward. This is for the first time a state in the country is observing the World Environment Day for assessing waste disposal measures taken by all the LSGIs along with spreading its message. Haritha Sabhas will also set the platform for educating citizens about the importance of waste management in society. The action plan, planned to be implemented in three-phases, was aimed at making all the LSGIs in the state garbage-freeby 2024. The Haritha Karma Sena set up in all LSGIs in the first phase of the campaign could extend their doorstep collection service to more than 50 percent houses. Gradually, it targets a cent percent achievement through the second and third phase campaigns.
A massive exercise meticulously planned, over 1,50,000 people will attend the Haritha Sabhas in 941 Grama Panchayats, besides 25,000 to be hosted by the municipalities and city corporations. Haritha Sabhas will have participants from the entire spectrum of society including trade organisations, health and hygiene workers, resident associations, Asha workers, NSS volunteers, NCC cadets, members of civil society organizations and civic awareness activists. The broad outline of the second phase of the campaign will be declared in the Haritha Sabhas. The deliberations of Haritha Sabhas in panchayats, municipalities and corporations will also highlight the need for creating basic infrastructure for a sustainable system for waste disposal. The state Chief Secretary had issued an order to audit the activities being held as part of garbage-free Kerala campaign. A monitoring council chaired by the respective MLAs have been constituted in the length and breadth of the state to ensure proper disposal of waste and for assessing the progress at regular intervals. The government has appointed two officials for monitoring the functioning of Haritha Sabha in LSGIs. Moreover, 14 officials, including IAS officers, have been entrusted with district-level coordination of Haritha Sabhas. The state solid waste disposal project is being implemented by ensuring public participation and 23 enforcement teams appointed by the government, had conducted inspections in all LSGIs.
Out of 8,981 inspections conducted, 3,270 violations had been found and notices issued in 2,727 cases till May 2023. About Rs 1,02,44,650 had been imposed as fine in cases of improper waste management and Rs 14.25 lakh had already been collected. Around 105 tonnes of banned disposable plastic have been seized. Since the launch of the programme, as many as two lakh Ayalkkoottam groups cleaned up around 44,415 water bodies and visited about 70 lakh houses to create awareness, besides conducting clean-up drives in more than 10,000 public spaces. They also organised awareness programmes on Waste-Free Day on April 30, including oath ceremonies where thousands pledged, they would keep their homes and surroundings clean and litter-free. The children’s wing of Kudumbashree, Balasabha, was actively engaged in these activities and more than 2,000 Suchitwa parliaments held, to discuss matters regarding waste management. Members of Balasabha visited around 1.7 lakh houses carrying the message of ‘State with No Waste’. Kudumbashree members cleaned up about 8,000 district and state level offices. Also, special measures have been taken by LSGIs to prevent use of disposable plastics, polluting of water bodies and littering of waste. The enforcement teams will inspect respective places and report cases to LSGIs for taking action. Besides, garbage piles will be removed from anywhere, if one shares the picture of it.