Thiruvananthapuram: A massive clean up drive was organised by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation across beaches and coastal areas as part of its “ente agaram sundara nagaram” programme on Saturday.
As part of the cleaning operations, 10 loads of biodegradable waste were removed. Massive amounts non biodegradeable waste accumulated in coastal areas including beaches were also collected during the operation. As many as 210 sacks of plastic waste, 20 sacks of bottles, 15 sacks of plastic bottles and 14 sacks of chappals and shoes were collected during the drive.
The clean up drive was carried out in Poonthura, Harbour, Vizhinjam, Mulloor, Kottapuram, Vellar, Vettukad, Shanghumugham, Pallithura, Poundkadavu, wards.
Several groups of volunteers and corporation staff fanned out in Valiya Veli, Pozhikkara, south Thumba, VSSC south gate, Pallithua, Appanvila Kadavu, Vettucad Church, Valiyathura, Jumba Road, Beemapally within corporation limits. Health inspector, junior health inspectors, continent workers, green army volunteers, LBS college students, fire force personel, police personnel and Kerala Social Media Forum joined the drive. At Kovalam Grow Beach, scuba divers took part in the cleaning operations.
Mayor V.K. Prasanth led the cleaning operations. Health standing committee chairman K. Sreekumar, ward councillors Shiny W., Nisa Beevi, Beemapally Rasheed, Vettukad Solomon, N A Rasheed, secretary L S Deepa, health officer Dr A Sasikumar, health supervisors and Suchitwa council director S Dharmapalan .
After the mega cleaning operations along Killiyar River, the City Corporation had decided to launch mass-clean up drive of beaches within its jurisdiction as part of its Clean Beaches initiative.
There have been complaints from various quarters that following the mass cleaning drive of Killiyar River, all the accumulated waste from the river were flushed into the coastal areas causing severe inconvenience to the locals and also tourists in Kovalam.
Southern Air Command joins cleaning operations
Southern Air Command conducted day long sea-shore clean up drive along with Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation (TMC) at Shanghmugham beach. It was a combined effort as a part of Waste Management Programme of TMC. About hundred air warriors of SAC actively participated in the drive.
Mayor V.K. Prasanth appreciated the efforts of SAC which is expected to directly contribute for better flight safety environment around the international airfield of Thiruvananthapuram. During the clean up drive, it was also decided initiate efforts towards removal of garbage around the airfield to combat bird menace and improve flight safety.
SAC has also set the standards by ensuring ‘Solid Waste Management' throughout its area of operations. This involves segregation of wet/ dry and non biodegradable waste and its subsequent treatment. TMC has shown keen interest in this programme and has contributed significantly in its implementation in Thiruvananthapuram. Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional) at SAC has launched its 'Go Green' project to further contribute towards ‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyan’.
The project aims to ensure conservation of energy, implement rain water harvesting and a massive plantation drive throughout the southern peninsula region. IAF in close coordination with forest department will undertake this drive during the upcoming monsoon. The project has already shown rich dividends in terms of tangible accrued gains over the last few months
