Solid waste generation during Onam season could soar to 4.2 lakh tonnes, says Keralam General Administration Department

Solid waste generation during Onam season could soar to 4.2 lakh tonnes, notes Keralam General Administration Department General Administration Department publishes detailed guidelines for public, administration agencies on green protocol.

Key points

• Therefore, on account of the special Onam celebrations organised by different organisations and administration departments, the State has to handle 4, 20, 120 tonnes of solid waste in a month.
• Littering and unscientific and indiscriminate disposal of waste in public spaces, waterbodies additionally lead to health difficulties, waterlogging and epidemics.
• The department's projection on the volume of solid waste is part of detailed guidelines issued to administration departments soliciting strict adherence to green protocol during the celebrations.

Keep this year's Onam celebrations green and clean, the General Administration Department has pressed administration agencies and the public, observing that State-wide solid waste generation during the festival month could soar to as much as 4.2 lakh tonnes.

Meanwhile, the department's projection on the volume of solid waste is part of detailed guidelines issued to administration departments soliciting strict adherence to green protocol during the celebrations. On a normal day Kerala generates regarding 10, 004 tonnes of solid waste, according to an August 18 department order on the guidelines. But this sees an growth by concerning 40% per day during the Onam season.

"Therefore, on account of the special Onam celebrations organised by different organisations and administration departments, the State has to handle 4, 20, 120 tonnes of solid waste in a month. This scenario poses a massive challenge to local self administration institutions, " according to the General Administration Department.

Furthermore, littering and unscientific and indiscriminate disposal of waste in public spaces, waterbodies additionally lead to health difficulties, waterlogging and epidemics.

Prefacing its guidelines with the observation that "Onam combines prosperity and hygiene, " the General Administration Department observed that its guidelines are designed to reduce waste generation and promote scientific disposal and processing. Calling for cooperation from all around, the department observed that all regions of Kerala has the infrastructure and services of the Haritha Karma Sena for the collection of waste.

Furthermore, all administration departments and local bodies have the duty to ensure a 'Clean Kerala' during Onam and to generate discussions on the topic, the order stated, directing these agencies to draft action intends and implement them. Apart from providing tips to reduce waste generation, the guidelines list out the duties of administration departments, traders, hotels, restaurants and street vendors, arts and sports clubs, youth organisations, educational institutions, residents' associations, catering establishments and local self administration institutions.

For now, solid waste generation during Onam season could soar to 4.2 lakh tonnes, remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.