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New Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Corporation set to tackle food waste crisis with black soldier fly composting
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an effort to combat the mounting organic garbage crisis in the state capital, the city corporation is all set to introduce black soldier fly (BSF) composting technology to manage food waste. The eco-friendly waste-treatment method, with a proven record in Kochi, is expected to reduce the city's dependence on private service providers and pig farms. The civic body is planning to set up two BSF composting units in the city over the next four months. According to officials, over 100 tonnes of food waste is currently collected daily by service providers and Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) members from households, restaurants and eateries. However, unregulated collection practices and illegal dumping have raised a lot of questions. 'Unlike aerobic composting, BSF composting units require more space. A BSF composting unit will take up at least an acre of land. We have identified three acres of land at two locations and one of the units will come up on two acres,' an official source said. The move comes amid repeated criticism by the local self-government department (LSGD) of delays and inefficiencies in the city's organic waste management initiatives. Recently, LSGD Minister M B Rajesh convened a high-level meeting to draw up a comprehensive action plan to resolve the food waste crisis in the city. Special secretary Anupama T V has been assigned to oversee implementation of the plan. In addition to the BSF plants, the civic body also plans to expand the capacity of the existing rapid composting plant in Kalladimukham to 50 tonnes and set up a new unit at Chalai. Meanwhile, the plan to set up a compressed bio-gas (CBG) plant is gaining pace.
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Citizens to get reward for reporting waste dumping in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to boost public participation in curbing illegal waste dumping, the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) has revised the reward system for citizens reporting littering and related violations. As per a new order, those who provide valid evidence of such violations will now receive 25% of the fine imposed on offenders. Until now, local bodies were giving Rs 2,500 as a fixed reward for reporting violations. LSGD Minister M B Rajesh, in a release issued here, said the initiative is aimed at encouraging citizen involvement in monitoring waste violations in public spaces. He also directed local bodies to ensure that those who report such violations with evidence are duly rewarded. To strengthen enforcement, the department plans to expand its surveillance network by involving Haritha Karma Sena members, NSS volunteers, SPC cadets, college students, and other community groups. The WhatsApp number 9446700800, launched for hassle-free reporting, has already received an overwhelming response. A dedicated control room has been set up at the principal directorate of LSGD to handle the complaints. So far, 8,674 complaints have been received, with action taken on 5,361 cases supported by evidence. Of the resolved cases, 84.41% pertained to clean-up operations. Authorities have imposed fines totaling Rs 33.5 lakh, and legal proceedings have been initiated against 31 people. Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram reported the highest number of complaints, while Wayanad saw the fewest. As per the law, individuals or establishments found littering or burning waste can be fined up to Rs 5,000. Discharging waste water into public places or water bodies will attract a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. Dumping sewage or hazardous waste into water bodies is a criminal offence punishable with fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 and imprisonment of six months to one year.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Minister calls for stronger internal vigilance in LSG department
T'puram: Local self-govt minister M B Rajesh stressed the need to strengthen the internal vigilance mechanism within the LSG department. He spoke at a one-day training session for internal vigilance officers held at the department headquarters on Thursday. Highlighting the vital role of local bodies as the first point of support for lakhs of ordinary citizens, he said there should be no delays in the delivery of services. "It is a fact that some officials still delay files unnecessarily and trouble people by raising irrelevant objections," he pointed out. He also acknowledged the presence of officers involved in financial irregularities and said it is the responsibility of internal vigilance officers to detect such violations with utmost diligence. "A functional and efficient vigilance system can ensure justice for the common man," the minister said. Rajesh added that the internal vigilance wing would be given more powers and facilities through amendments to the Panchayati Raj Rules. During the event, the minister also released a study report prepared by the town planning department on resorts in Wayanad. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Shipwreck spill hits ‘Malinya Muktham' campaign in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the world prepares to celebrate World Environment Day on Thursday under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution, Kerala faces a significant environmental crisis. A shipwreck off the state's coast has released tons of plastic nurdles—tiny pellets used in manufacturing—polluting the shorelines of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. These nurdles pose a serious threat to marine life, public health, and the state's ambitious 'Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam' campaign, which aims to achieve a garbage-free Kerala by March 2026. Highlighting the severity of the situation, social activist Magline Peter said that the entire shoreline of the capital is now covered in nurdles. She expressed concern that the local communities remain unaware of the hazardous situation, lacking information about necessary precautions and the actions being taken to address the crisis. 'There is no transparent communication to resolve this issue. A week has passed, but little action has been taken to clean the nurdles up,' she said. Since its launch, the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign has focused on reducing plastic use, implementing door-to-door collection of non-biodegradable waste, and ensuring proper waste management. The nurdle spill represents a significant setback to these efforts. LSG Minister M B Rajesh said that the government has begun efforts to remove the nurdles. 'While the Local Self-Government Department is not directly involved, the Environment Department is coordinating cleanup activities,' Rajesh said.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kudumbashree ‘Onakkani' to ensure safe vegetables
T'puram: Kudumbashree is implementing an 'Onakkani' project to provide safe and pesticide-free vegetables to the public for Onam. The goal is to cultivate 10,000 hectares across state through Kudumbashree farmers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project, envisaging cultivation of all vegetables needed for the Onam feast, also aims at ensuring better income for farmers. In the district, the cultivation will be carried out on 1,992 acres across 83 community development society (CDS) units. The state-level inauguration of the project will be organized in Maruthurkonam ward of Kottukal panchayat on Wednesday. Local self-govt minister M B Rajesh will inaugurate the project while district panchayat president D Suresh Kumar will preside. As part of the project, technical training will be provided to farmers in all districts on nursery preparation, seedling production, crop maintenance, pest control and harvesting. TNN
