Waste Management Programmes of Block Panchayath,

Bharanickavu Block Panchayath situated in South –East part of in shares it boundaries with Pathanamthitta and Districts. This Block Panchayat consists of six Grama panchayaths namely Bharanickavu, , , , Thamarakulam and Bharanikkavu block . There are many farmers in this area Panchayath who follow organic farming techniques. This area generally has an urban culture and hence the Total area: 167.29 sq.km waste generation is also very high. People used Population- 201255 to throw the degradable waste tied in plastic covers along the Road sides. Male – 93417 Female – 107838 Bharanickavu Block Panchayath took initiative to find out a solution to waste management problems Households -5215 and to implement it successfully. To start with, No. of divisions- 13 awareness programme was held in all the 6 panchayath followed by implementation of various projects to manage waste.

Bio degradable waste

Panchayath educated people to make compost using the bio degradable waste and to use it for organic farming. Block Panchayath provided small bin/Bio Bin with composting inoculums to households where source level composting was possible. Then we moved to public places like markets where the abundant wastes are generated. For managing degradable waste in communities, and market places, schools and offices 10 aerobic compost unit worth Rs. 21.78 Lakhs were installed. Trained people were assigned to maintain these units. The compost generated are sold to the farmers.

Non-bio degradable waste management

In 2017-18 the Panchayath commissioned a “Plastic Shredding and Bailing Unit worth Rs. 17.44 lakhs. Shredded plastic is re-used for road tarring and plastic with more than 50 microns are being bailed and handed over to Clean Kerala Company for Recycling. In each Panchayath harithakarmasena (green task force) comprising two Kudumbasree members for each ward is formed. Haritha Karma Sena collects plastic from every house and shop and transport to plastic shredding unit. Harithakarmasena members employed in the unit segregate the waste and process it there.

A monitoring committee comprising Block Panchayath President, Block Panchayath Secretary, all Grama Panchayath Presidents, Block Panchayath Sanitation Committee chairperson has been formed to oversee the functioning or the shredding unit. User fee is collected from the houses and shops and honorarium of Haritha Karma Sena is paid from the same.

Construction of a Modern Gas Crematorium with a project cost of Rs. 1.55 has been started. Zilla Panchayath, Block Panchayath and six Gramapanchayaths are jointly funding for the project.

To ward off disposables/use and throw materials in events and functions the Harithakarmasena will be equipped to oversee the events and they will have steel plates, ceramic plates, steel glasses, steel jugs etc. at their disposal to rent it out. It is also planned to supply steel water bottles to children of all Anganawadies and Govt. L.P. Schools.

Apart from these, E-waste and other solid wastes are being collected through Haritha Karma Sena and handed over to the concerned agenices for reuse and recycle.

Through these measures the block panchayath is all set to achieve “Malinya Muktha Bharanickavu” (Zero waste Bharanikkavu)