Haritha Keralam Mission launched to make state clean, green

Haritha Keralam, an ambitious programme envisaged by the Kerala government to make the state clean, protect its water sources and soil, was launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at nearby Parasalla here today.
Brand ambassador of the scheme, eminent Carnatic vocalist and playback singer K J Yesudas and noted actress Manju Warrier were among those present on the occasion.
Haritha Keralam (Green Kerala) mission envisages a clean and green state through waste management, organic farming and conservation of water resources with people's support.
Launching the scheme, which has been planned as part of the Nava Kerala Mission, Vijayan expressed hope that it will be able to reclaim the lost agriculture heritage of the state.

"It was one of boldest steps initiated after implementation of land reforms in the state," he claimed, adding growth of agriculture and proper waste disposal is the need of the hour.
"It is a proud moment for all of us today as we launch Haritha Keralam Mission which is a first of its kind in India's revolutionary people's movement for cleaning and greening of Kerala", Vijayan said in a Facebook post.

"I hope each citizen of Kerala will contribute towards this project by joining hands with the government for the success of this project," the Chief Minister said.
"I welcome photos and videos of Haritham (Water Conservation, Waste Management and Agricultural Self-Sufficiency) related activities undertaken by you at home, school, college, office, village, ward levels," he said.

As part of the scheme, the government will conduct a survey covering 60 lakh houses, to collect data about existing waste management systems in the state.
Besides the disposal of solid waste, the government is also planning to undertake a number of initiatives including reviving water resources like ponds, rivers, lakes and streams and increasing the area of land under cultivation as part of the programme.
Land cleaned under this scheme will be used for vegetable cultivation, to achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture. Power generation from solar and wind energy would also be a part of this project, it was stated.

Haritha Keralam is envisaged as a people's participatory programme on the lines of literacy mission, democratic decentralisation and people's planning.