THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A regeneration scheme which hopes to transform the capital city into a semi-forest, revive its ponds and turn its bare concrete roof-tops into vegetable gardens, and which had been kept in abeyance for nearly three years, will be launched in the capital city to coincide with the onset of southwest monsoon.
The ambitious project, called ‘Urban Environment Improvement Project’, will include a host of activities like greening of the city, restoration of ponds, waste conversion and vegetable farming. Nearly a crore has been set apart for greening. The Forest Department has been provided Rs 25 lakh for the production and distribution of seedlings and for the graft of fruit plants.
Residents associations and NGOs, too, will be associated with the project. Tree guards - cylindrical metal meshes erected around the base of the tree - will also be provided wherever required. Assistance for greening campuses in the capital will be offered to the institutions through ‘Bhoomithrasena’ clubs or other active clubs. In schools and colleges, eco-clubs or nature clubs will be involved.
The restoration of ponds will be carried out on the basis of a project prepared by Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC). The project, for which Rs 4 crore has been earmarked, will be implemented in a phased manner through the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. A management committee will be constituted for each pond, for upkeep and maintenance. The possibility of recreation and fish cultivation will also be examined wherever possible.
As for waste management, biogas units will be installed in households on a priority basis. The implementation of the component will be linked through ANERT or other reputed agencies. The unique aspect of the project is the promotion of vegetable cultivation in households, especially on roof-tops. Terrace cultivation, household tree planting, cultivation of fruits and promotion of rainwater harvesting are part of this urban agriculture component.
