KSWMP to hold workshop series for Municipalities
Minister M B Rajesh to inaugurate state-level event at Kovalam on July 3
Trivandrum / July 2, 2023
Thiruvananthapuram, July 02: Highlighting the importance of a long-term sustainable solid waste management system, the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP) is conducting a two-day workshop for the heads of corporations and Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs) on July 3 as part of a workshop series planned in four zones across the state.
Minister for Local Self Government and Excise Shri M B Rajesh will inaugurate the state-level workshop series, titled ‘Maattam’ (Change), that aims to impart training to civic body heads at the Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel, Kovalam, here, at 10 am.
Nava Kerala Mission State Coordinator Dr T N Seema will preside over the function where Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Smt Sarada Muraleedharan will deliver the keynote address. KSWMP Project Director Shri Mohammed Y Safirulla will welcome the gathering. KSWMP Deputy Project Director Shri U V Jose will also attend.
The event comes close on the heels of the successful completion of the first phase of the ‘Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam’ campaign launched by the government on March 15, 2023 seeking to make the state garbage-free by 2024. It has created a huge impact among the public in the LSGIs and corporations.
The workshop, to be concluded on July 4, will discuss various topics including detailed plans for solid waste management in accordance with the parameters prescribed in the National Solid Waste Management manual, achievements by LSGIs and the existing challenges etc. Moreover, it will also deliberate on conceiving new waste disposal projects, considering factors like the changes in consumer habit and rise in population in the next 25 years.
The shortcomings in solid waste management in each corporation found as part of the KSWMP data collection will be analysed in the workshop. Based on this, decisions will be taken on the subprojects to be implemented urgently. Besides, the workshop will set the platform for taking up a master plan by corporations for attaining sustainability in waste management. Experts and officials will take classes on various topics; besides, group discussion and project presentation will be held.
People’s representatives of corporations and municipalities and Department officials will attend the workshop. In the next phase, the workshop series will also be conducted in other zones including Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode.
The event aims at giving an impetus to the solid waste management activities in all the corporations and LSGIs in the state, besides bringing in a new quantitative change in people’s perspective regarding waste disposal.
The state government will be providing additional funds and technical aid to corporations and municipalities through KSWMP for effectively implementing six-year-long (2021-2027) waste management projects. As part of the project, various waste disposal facilities will be set up in LSGIs and zonal levels for solid waste management and its disposal.
Principal Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, Kerala Municipal Chairman’s Chamber Chairman Shri M Krishnadas, Local Self Government Department Principal Director Shri MG Rajamanickam, Kudumbashree Executive Director Smt Anu Kumari, KILA Director General Shri Joy Elamon, Suchitwa Mission Executive Director Shri KT Balabhaskaran, CKCL Managing Director Shri Suresh Kumar and Urban Affairs Director Shri Alex Varghese will also attend.
Marking the successful completion of the goals set for the first phase of the Immediate Action Plan launched to keep Kerala clean and litter-free, the LSGD conducted Haritha Sabhas (green assemblies) across the state on World Environment Day on June 5, with the active participation of LSGIs. The second phase of the campaign will conclude on October 31, 2023.
