THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Udyanam project that aims to beautify the city roads with flowering plants and murals kickstarted in the city. The stretch between Manmohan Bungalow and Gold Links road has been selected for the pilot project.
The Udyanam project is initiated as part of the ‘Change can Change Climate Change programme’ with the cooperation of the Haritha Keralam Mission. Haritha Keralam Mission vice-chairperson T N Seema said the main purpose of the project was to keep the city green and beautiful. The stretch was facing a serious issue of waste dumping and it was cleared first. Now flowering plants will dot the stretch to prevent people from throwing waste.
The Udyanam project involves scientific waste management. Waste will be segregated in the source-level. The biodegradable material will be filled in grow bags and plants would be grown in them. Non-biodegradable wastes will be cleaned up and sent to recycling units. The further management of the beautified stretches will be assigned with the local residents. Terumo Penpol is the chief sponsor of the project. Associating partners include BAI, CIA, Young Indians, TATF, TCCI, C5 and residents’ welfare associations.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and District Collector K Vasuki are advisors for the project. The office-bearers of the project said management of the cleaned up stretches was the main challenge faced by the city’s sanitation and beautification programmes.
Seema who visited the Kowdiar project has called for people’s support to make it a success. Museum sub-inspector who accompanied her urged the people to adhere to the green protocol. The works were done by a team led by Muraleedharan K. It included volunteers of the National Service Scheme, Nehru Yuva Kendra, C5 and local residents.
She said the Udyanam’s scientific waste management system would prevent the hazards of climate change, pollution and environmental disasters. 35 waste dumping spots will be selected and cleaned up under the project. Later flowering plants will be planted on the roadsides and walls will be decorated with murals.