Bid for Initiating Decentralized System of Waste Management

It was a unanimous opinion; segregate, manage and dispose waste at the source itself. The meeting of Resident and Merchant Associations organized by Tiruvalla Municipality and MACFAST College as a part of Clean and Green Tiruvalla Project reiterated this notion. While delivering welcome address Mr. Sudheer (Municipal Secretary) said; “We are very much aware about the ongoing mechanism of waste management and it is completely unscientific in all scene.  The concept put forwarded by Clean and Green Tiruvalla is the only solution to find an everlasting solution to the issue of existing menace of waste. We are expected to learn how to manage waste at the source itself. An academic spirit to learn and develop suitable technologies is required to tackle this problem and to practice this notion. As part of the project, we are scheduling to organize an exhibition and seminar which will introduce and demonstrate such technologies.  Municipality is planning to install a waste treatment plant in this compound to exhibit how decentralized system of waste management possible and it will be a model one. Recently concluded meeting of education institutions was very successful and we have so many positive responses from schools. In addition to this, ‘Green School’ – a project for Developing Green Habits among Students for a Sustainable World will be launched soon. Rev. Fr. Abraham Mulamootil (Chairman and Chief Executive Pushpagiri Group of Institutions) delivered the key note address. “Decentralized system of waste management now becomes the policy matter of State as well as Central Government. As a place with sufficient developed country experiences, Tiruvalla seems to be a model in effective waste management. Today we consider gold as precious and tomorrow water will cost more than gold. Now we are polluting air and in future we will struggle for fresh air. Deforestation is rampant now and in future species will wander for habitat. Today we are wasting food and tomorrow we will race for food. We need to work for a better India and for a sustainable world. He said.

While opened for discussion, different suggestions arise. Some of the common suggestions are as follows

1.      Municipality should take initiative to strengthen all legislations

2.      Municipality shall provide subsidy for waste management technologies

3.      Rules for establishments should follow while giving or renewing license

4.      Waste treatment plant can make mandate in new houses while giving House Number

5.      Municipality shall organize awareness camps in schools and houses in ward levels

6.      An exhibition can organize to introduce different waste management technologies

“Awareness has a key role in spreading the idea of Clean and Green Tiruvalla and our dream can actualize by ensuring this very effective. It should extend to all wards and schools in Tiruvalla Municipality. Our Project team has already started their works in schools and anyone can make use of the project team”

Lalji (Merchant Association), Kurian George, Presidents of Amalloor, Sevana and JP Nagar Resident Associations, Ms. Linda Thomas (Chairperson, Tiruvalla Municipality), Mr. Praksh (Health Supervisor), Reghukuttan Pillai,  Paul V Mathew (Project Officer, Clean and Green Tiruvalla) and John Kuruvila spoke.