Minister launches district-level 'Nirmalam' campaign aiming for a waste-free state by 2031

Wayanad (Keralam), Oct 3: Keralam Minister T Siddique on Friday said a comprehensive drive is underway to turn Wayanad into India's first e-waste-free district by November 1, the state's formation day. He was speaking at a Gandhi Jayanti event in the district.

The state Agriculture Minister said the first phase of the initiative had already begun. The programme aims to safeguard the environment and public health from hazardous substances such as mercury, lead and cadmium, which are released when electronic waste is discarded improperly, he said.

Under the first phase, 31 tonnes of e-waste were gathered from government offices across the district between September 28 and 30, Siddique said. Kalpetta accounted for 12 tonnes, Sultan Bathery for 12 tonnes, Mananthavady for five tonnes and Panamaram for two tonnes. The minister said the waste was handed over to the Clean Kerala Company with the support of the district administration, local self-government institutions and the Suchitwa Mission.

At the event, Siddique presented certificates and shawls to 56 contingent employees working in various offices at the Collectorate, in recognition of their contributions. Appreciation certificates were also given to officials of 184 government institutions that took part in the collection drive.

The second phase will cover households, private institutions, commercial establishments and residents' associations, with the backing of local bodies, government agencies and welfare organisations, he said. A fixed amount will be paid for the e-waste collected, which will be sorted into about 50 categories before being handed over to the Clean Kerala Company for final disposal.

District Collector V Chelsasini released a poster outlining the precautions that government institutions and local self-government bodies should follow while handling e-waste.

The minister also inaugurated the district-level launch of 'Nirmalam', a five-year waste management campaign aimed at making the state completely clean. The campaign seeks to make Kerala a model state in waste management and to achieve a fully waste-free state by March 30, 2031, observed as Zero Waste Day, he said. Siddique assured the campaign of Wayanad's full participation and support.