Ernakulam will soon witness the rollout of a massive legal literacy campaign among citizens on effective waste management through improved enforcement.
An estimated one lakh people in the district are targeted in the first phase of the initiative to be jointly carried out by the Ernakulam wing of the Haritha Keralam Mission and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA).
“The partnering institutions and agencies include the Kochi Corporation, municipalities, panchayats, State Pollution Control Board, police, and Health and Food Safety departments. The aim is to educate the public and other stakeholders on laws pertaining to waste management, handling, and processing,” said Sujith Karun, Ernakulam co-ordinator, Haritha Keralam Mission.
The decision to launch the campaign followed the inference that implementing effective waste management systems alone would not help in achieving the goal of a ‘waste-free Kerala’. Mr. Sujith said the public should be legally aware of the consequences of violating environment protection rules. “We will be distributing a handbook titled Harithaniyamangal that outlines the legal provisions prohibiting careless and unscientific disposal of solid waste, littering, and dumping of waste in waterbodies. Select personnel have already received training at KILA in creating legal awareness among people on effective waste management,” he added.
The book will be beneficial to elected representatives of local bodies, officials, and the local communities as it provides a detailed explanation of laws initiated against violators of waste management norms.
Some of the identified areas and their relevant legal clauses include air pollution, dumping and burning of solid waste, procedures on waste management in places/functions where more than 100 persons get together, and solid waste processing.
The campaign will heavily focus on the message that stringent action awaits those who violate rules. It will also elaborate on the action to be initiated against those refusing to ensure proper segregation and processing of waste and explain the provisions of imposing spot fine.
Elaboration of legal provisions prohibiting illegal transport and dumping of waste and rules governing the operation and management of slaughterhouses will also be part of the campaign.