The district administration is set to raise an army of civic-minded people, including youth, to work for addressing vexing issues such as waste management and public health.
The volunteers will be given training and made aware of garbage management and health issues so that they can be shaped into a movement active in all parts of the district, Minister for Cooperation Kadakampally Surendran said at a press conference here on Tuesday.
The scheme will get under way on Wednesday.
As a first step, a workshop and formation of volunteer units will be held at the Sports Hub, Karyavattom.
Registration
The district administration will present identity cards to the volunteers. Those interested may register through a web portal. The volunteers will work in the areas of rainwater harvesting, waste management, conservation of non-conventional energy, and organic farming.
The scheme will also provide support to the Haritha Keralam and Jagratha schemes.
Those selected for cleanliness and beautification activities will have the responsibility of cleaning up the area assigned to them, painting walls, and setting up flower gardens.
Those who sponsor such activities will be allowed to display their logo on the painted spot. They will bear the responsibility and expenses for maintaining the garden.
In the first five months, five prominent places in the city will be chosen for the scheme. An inspection team comprising police officers and the volunteers will be set up to keep an eye on dumping of waste. The volunteers will also submit regular reports on the operation of the squads. A Deputy Superintendent of Police will coordinate the squad activities. The volunteers will conduct awareness programmes against waste management. They will also visit schools and houses to spread awareness of the green protocol.
Coordination
The Corporation Health Officer and Assistant Commissioners of Police, in association with the local self-government institutions, will coordinate the project, under the umbrella of the district administration.
The Minister said the scheme would be implemented with people’s participation so that all could do their bit to make the district more liveable, especially in times of climate change. District Collector K. Vasuki also spoke at the press meet.
