TNPCB called for proposals for the Green Award 2018. This award is for the activities undertaken towards environmental protection during the year 2017-18. Interested associations should send in details their name, ward and zone number, steps taken towards management of municipal solid waste including source segregation, treatment and disposal methods adopted.

They should also elaborate on the management of sewage and its reuse, green belt development, plastic waste management and implementation of alternatives to plastic, water management, provisions for rainwater harvesting, energy saving measures such as solar panel installation, measures to reduce, reuse and recycle practices adopted, in addition to other interventions.

Supporting documents such as photographs and newspaper clippings can be included. A TNPCB official said that Green Awards are given out every year for industries and the district collector.

“This is the first time such an award is being given to resident welfare associations and gated communities, who are implementing sustainable solutions. This will encourage more people to move towards an eco-friendly way of life,” the official added.

Harsha Koda, a resident of Sabari Terrace in Sholinganallur, a gated community, said that they have been source segregating and composting for the past five years. “We heard of this award and decided to see the quantum we have composted or sold as scrap. We have also adopted to rain water harvesting since the last eight months. We have harvested 3 lakh litres of water this summer,” he said.

Harsha, who is also a member of Federation of OMR Residential Associations (FOMRRA), said that awards like these could help more residents ‘go green’.

“If not for the sake of environment, at least in a competitive spirit, people will implement these measures,” he cautioned.

He further added that however, this shouldn’t just stop with the award. “I have come across cases where a street has won an award for cleanliness but six months down the line, they have stopped practicing all the measures they followed,” he shared.

The last date for sending entries for Green Awards 2018 is October 31.