An awareness campaign called ‘Malambhootam’ is being run jointly by the Department of Local Self-Government and Suchitva Mission in association with UNICEF WASH Institute.
An awareness campaign called ‘Malambhootam’ is being run jointly by the Department of Local Self-Government and Suchitva Mission in association with UNICEF WASH Institute.
Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGI) Minister MB Rajesh on Wednesday launched a campaign to raise public awareness on the need for scientific treatment of faecal sludge and other solid waste.
An awareness campaign called ‘Malambhootam’ is being organized jointly by the Department of Local Self-Government and Suchitva Mission in collaboration with the UNICEF Institute for Water Sanitation and Sanitation (WASH).
Mr Rajesh said that Kerala is passing through a critical situation in which all its water sources have become polluted. He called upon the local bodies to intervene effectively to overcome this.
“Civil bodies should create awareness among the public to prevent dumping of faecal waste into water bodies, which has led to an alarming increase in the percentage of coliform bacteria in water bodies. Although there are scientific management techniques to handle these waste materials, Efforts to set up such plants are often met with opposition. Local bodies can intervene to bring about a change in the mindset of the people. The state government will provide necessary funds to all the municipal bodies that have suitable land for such projects. Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation’s sewage treatment plant at Muttara is a model for all municipal bodies,” said Mr. Rajesh.
He said that the purpose of the awareness campaign was to educate the public that the biggest threat to them is the non-treatment of waste rather than the plant being built to treat the waste. The campaign was a continuation of Suchitva Mission’s ‘Dalinerozhukum Navkeralam’ campaign to clean the state’s water bodies. In tests conducted as part of the campaign, 80% of the state’s water bodies were found to be polluted with sewage. Even the wells in the residential complex were similarly polluted. The government decided to launch an immediate campaign in this context.
The state government has set a target of setting up around 28 treatment plants with two in each district in the next two years. The waste from septic tanks in homes had to be removed and cleaned once every three years. Shri Rajesh said that sewage management plan would be prepared for each district and every local body. The program was presided over by MLA VK Prashant. Sharda Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self-Government Department delivered the keynote address.