Comprehensive solid waste management a priority for State govt., says Kerala CM
A comprehensive solid waste management plan for Kerala is one of the three major priority areas for the United Democratic Front (UDF) government, said Chief
A comprehensive solid waste management plan for Kerala is one of the three major priority areas for the United Democratic Front (UDF) government, said Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. Speaking at a programme organised by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board on Monday as part of the launch of its new projects, he said that the government is envisaging projects which would function like an effective chain from the source of the waste to its processing. “One of the challenges faced by the local bodies in waste management is the number of fake companies that exist only on paper, who approach them promising high-sounding projects with US or German technology.
The government is now planning to take the initiative for integrated waste management projects. We could have at least 14 of those, one each in every district,” he said. He said that the public cannot be blamed for protesting as soon as a waste management plant is announced in any locality, considering the history of pollution and health issues due to such plants in some regions in the past. “But, we are thinking of new model projects, especially modern waste management plants which will not cause difficulties to anyone even in the immediate surroundings,” said Mr.Satheesan.
The high population density of Kerala compared to other States and the urban nature of the entire State created large amounts of waste and threw up challenges for disposal. The lack of awareness of the general public has also made the task difficult. “Though we have high standards in personal hygiene, the same is not reflected in our waste management. The problem is not due to a lack of education, because I have seen highly educated people dumping waste from their homes in public spaces and water bodies.
We need to create awareness about the dangers of such indiscriminate dumping,” he said.
The BriefWire