Legacy dumpsite retrieval: Stakeholders’ meet held at Koottupatha

Palakkad / May 3, 2024

 

Palakkad, May 03: A stakeholders’ consultation meet has assured the local community of total transparency and inclusiveness in the project to retrieve the legacy dumpsite of Palakkad Municipality located at Koottupatha in Kodumbu Grama Panchayat through bio-redemption process, adhering to all socio-economic and environmental safeguards.

Elected representatives of Palakkad Municipality and Kodumbu Grama Panchayat and officials briefed the local community on the socio-economic and environmental benefits of the scheme, including the idea of turning the site into a bio park.

The legacy dumpsite at Koottupatha is one of the 20 spots selected for bio-remediation as part of the ambitious project being implemented by the World Bank-aided Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP) to retrieve garbage dump sites in over 20 towns across Kerala.   

Besides turning urban landscapes into more hygienic and clean spaces, the project is aimed at utilising the retrieved land for public purposes that substantially benefit the local community.

Chairperson of Palakkad Municipality Smt Prameela Sasidharan, who inaugurated the meeting, said the retrieved dumpsite at Koottupatha will be converted into a bio-park as envisaged by the Local Self Governments Minister Shri M B Rajesh.

The Municipality also has plans for better solid waste management activities through the pooling of various funds, Smt Prameela Sasidharan said.

Shri Smithesh, Health Standing Committee Member, Palakkad Municipality, presided. Shri Vimal E P, Clean City Manager, Mr Ahamed Rasheeq, Project Head of SMSL (Cluster 2) and officials of KSWMP and other agencies spoke at the meet.

The April 28 meeting was aimed at enabling the stakeholders to track the trajectory of the project, reduce project risks, build synergy between the Palakkad Municipality and Kodumbu Grama Panchayat, keep track of the aspirations of the local community and address their concerns and foster collaboration of entire stakeholders.

While extending support to the project, the participants sought to know about the time-line of the project, processes involved, health and environmental safeguards and the future use of the dumpsite.

The participants were told that all the social and environmental safeguards will be followed at various stages of the project with the co-operation and support of the host community. A committee will be formed to address grievances of the local community.

The KSWMP officials briefed the participants on the entire processes including transportation plan, leachate management, gender issues, labour management and stakeholder engagement.

A stakeholder management platform was formed with the representatives of the host community as members. A WhatsApp group was also formed with the ward member, influencers and local community representatives for seamless communication.

A video on the bio-redemption of the legacy dumpsite at Kureepuzha of Kollam Municipal Corporation was also screened on the occasion.

ENDS