How Kerala’s ‘Green Army’ changed waste forever

The state government says Kerala no longer depends on landfills or centralised dumps; instead, it manages its waste at source, creating jobs and a cleaner environment along the way

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

In Kerala, known for its high literacy rate and scenic backwaters, an unlikely force has taken centre stage in the battle against waste-women in green uniforms, knocking on doors with sacks and ledgers in hand.

‘They are the Haritha Karma Sena-women-led squads who collect and sort rubbish at household level. What started as a local experiment in composting has now grown into a full ecosystem of solid waste management.

The state government says Kerala no longer depends on landfills or centralised dumps; instead, it manages its waste at source, creating jobs and a cleaner environment along the way.

The approach is decentralised, and crucially, it is monitored digitally.

Beyond household waste, Kerala has also begun to set up faecal sludge treatment plants under the national AMRUT pro-gramme-a move aimed at tackling the more intractable prob-Jem of liquid and sanitary waste.

Talking about the success of the solid waste management initiative, Kerala Local Self-Government Minister MB Rajesh said, “We have achieved self-sufficiency in solid waste management liquid will take more time, but we are confident about achieving it.”

‘The minister emphasised that strict enforcement and active public participation were crucial in reaching the milestone.