The city Corporation and the Suchitwa Mission have made arrangements to implement green protocol at the upcoming Attukal Pongala. Youngsters spearheaded by the Corporation’s ‘green army’ will ensure strict adherence to the protocol.
As part of the implementation, Mayor V.K. Prasanth convened a meeting of departments, agencies, voluntary organisations, clubs and residents associations on Thursday. Deputy Collector Anu S. Nair, Haritha Kerala Mission vice-chairperson T.N. Seema, and Suchitwa Mission director (drinking water) C.V. Joy participated in the discussion.
A ‘green wall’ comprising female college students will be formed at the festival zone on February 18 to propagate awareness of the initiative. Volunteers of the ‘green army’ will be split into several squads for enforcing the green protocol. Organisations which adhere to the directive by avoiding the use of plastics and other non-biodegradable products will be felicitated by the Corporation.
Brick collection
Addressing mediapersons, Mr. Prasanth said the local body could bring down the quantity of waste generated during the annual festival from 350 tonnes to 72 tonnes last year through green protocol. Efforts were being made to limit the quantity of garbage to at least 60 tonnes this time.
Similar to the previous year, the Corporation will collect the bricks used by devotees to offer pongala to construct houses for underprivileged families.
NSS volunteers
The construction of 13 houses using bricks collected last year was currently under way.
Besides 250 workers, volunteers of the National Service Scheme will be deployed collecting bricks after the pongala.
Mandatory licence
Organisations that planned to distribute food and water to devotees should obtain licence from the Corporation and the Commissionerate of Food Safety. They will have to register either at the Corporation office or through the ‘Smart Trivandrum’ mobile application.
To promote green protocol, the Corporation will run counters of eco-friendly products at the Government Ayurveda College junction and the office of the Corporation Health Inspector on February 18 and 19.
Further details can be obtained by contacting 9496434492, 9496434461, 9496434449 or 9496434434.