Join the cleaning spree

KOCHI: As part of its endeavour to ensure a clean environment, Mithradham Renewable Energy Centre, Aluva, is forming a network of volunteers. Once they become  part of the network,  the volunteers should devote their time and effort for cleaning their surroundings.Organisations and individuals can become part of the project called Suchithwa Bodhana Yajnam (SBY). “We are planning to motivate society to help maintain a clean environment. Individuals or institutions can take up the responsibility of motivating people of the area  for cleaning up the surroundings,” said George Pittappilly, convener, SBY.“Waste segregation is given least priority as far as waste disposal is concerned.  Though many NGOs are working for proper waste disposal, the waste segregation has become a headache for them. If the waste is segregated into bio-degradable and non-degradable categories at the source, the disposal will be easy,” he said.Those willing to volunteer for the project should make an effort to create awareness on waste segregation and disposal. “The project was launched six months ago and we met 25,000 students so as to motivate them for the cause,”  George Pittappilly said.Rajagiri outreach, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery, which has successfully implemented various environmental projects of the government and private organisations is coordinating the activities of SBY. The finance of the project is managed by Sahrudaya Services and Charities, Kalamassery, which is a trust engaged in charitable work through its fully transparent account opened separately for the project.  The volunteers can work on their own in their locality or the place of their choice. The volunteers may receive financial support for concrete cleanliness action programmes depending on the availability of funds and can raise funds on their own through voluntary contributions, Fr George Peter Pittappilly said.“With members of Aluva Paristhithi Sangham, the Muslim Students Movement and Tharumithra, a NGO, SBY took out a procession through the district, covering 160 km on foot, from January 1 to 15 for creating  awareness on cleaning up the surroundings. We met students of 50 schools and colleges,” Fr Pittappilly said.