Tamil Nadu

A silent revolution in solid waste management

GREAT EFFORT: Workers at the compost yard at Kanadukathan.

KARAIKUDI: Kanadukathan, a town panchayat of Chettinad region in Sivaganga district, which has already figured in the international map of tourism thanks to the spectacular heritage bungalows, is making silent revolution in solid waste management, a concept advocated by the State Government.

The idea to earn money from garbage has become a highly successful venture for the town panchayat. In fact, the administration has been getting continuous calls from various buyers for the manure produced from garbage owing to the good quality.

Though the concept was mooted by the Government a few years ago, it has got its complete shape only after the active interest shown by the Sivaganga Collector, Pankaj Kumar Bansal.

Based on his advice, Rm. N. Karuppaiah, president and G. Mangaleshwaran, Executive Officer, of the Kanadukathan town panchayat, roped in the services of Self Help Group members, besides the support of regular sanitary workers, for collection, transportation and segregation of daily waste from the houses of the town. Most of the waste materials are segregated into degradable, non degradable, recyclable, disposable and others at the source itself. An exclusive work to segregate degradable items is also undertaken at the 3-acre compost yard, which looks like a “nandavanam”.

The perishable and decomposable type materials are taken to the special compost yards and kept there for 45 days with proper maintenance. The process gives top quality natural manure. After pocketing the manure, it is being sent for sale.

Besides making money out of garbage, the waste management system keeps the streets of Kanadukathan neat and clean. It also provides employment opportunities for 25 people.

“Kanadukathan town panchayat really leads the way for other town panchayats and municipalities in solid waste management. The system is functioning exceedingly well with the cooperation of people, staff and others. It is a role model compost yard,” says Mr. Bansal, who has directed the other panchayats to visit the town to study its functioning.

K. Chandrasekaran, Assistant Director, Town Panchayat, Sivaganga district, said the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, which tested the manure produced at the compost yard, had certified that it was a good quality natural product. “The sale has picked up well since then. But we are not able to meet the requirement,” he added.

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