Thiruvananthapuram: Local bodies in Kerala will conduct a survey from January 6 to 12 to examine whether all houses and institutions in the state are processing kitchen and biodegradable waste at the source. Even though a similar survey was conducted last year, the follow-up measures were ineffective.

The main aim of the survey is to ensure 100 per cent processing of biodegradable waste as part of the public awareness campaign launched under the 'Malinya Muktha Navakeralam' (Garbage-free New Kerala) programme.

Data collection for the survey will be conducted in each ward by two or three teams with representatives of Haritha Karma Sena and Kudumbashree as members.The 'Harithamithram' application will be used for this purpose, and houses and institutions that have not yet registered with the app will be identified.

Technical assistants from the Information Kerala Mission (IKM) will help register all such houses and institutions during the survey. Subsequently, the application's QR code will be printed and pasted on the properties.

The other goals of the survey include identifying houses and establishments with facilities for managing waste at source, rectifying any problems in their waste-management facilities, confirming the availability of inoculum for converting biodegradable waste to compost, making arrangements to collect organic fertiliser from properties that don't need it, and locating areas where common facilities for processing biodegradable waste are required.

The survey will be conducted with the support of the Principal Directorate under the Local Self-Government Department, Suchitwa Mission, Information Kerala Mission and Kudumbashree.

Manorama – Suchitwa Mission contest
Malayala Manorama and Suchitwa Mission are organising the 'Ente Christmas, Ente Kitchen Bin' (My Christmas, My Kitchen Bin) challenge for schoolchildren to make their holidays enjoyable and promote the habit of managing waste. Students in classes 1 – 12 can participate in the contest and win prizes by clicking their photo beside the compost bin in their house. A photo could show one or more children.

The photos could be sent to the email ID 2024c4c@gmail.com. Details such as name, address, district, and taluk should be mentioned along with the photos. Seven prizes would be presented in each district. The first prize is Rs 3,000, the second is Rs 1,500, and five consolation prize winners will receive Rs 1,000 each. Entries could be sent from December 26 to January 1.