THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city’s prided tourist destination, Kovalam, might turn out a trend-setter in solid waste management too. The Tourism Department has mooted a pilot project for garbage disposal aimed at treating the waste generated in houses and hotels alike, in the tourist spot. A campaign to take the project to the people is being planned and it is likely to be launched soon."Considering the garbage crisis the city is facing, we are piloting the project in Kovalam. We have envisaged the project to be implemented in select tourist destinations in the State,’’ said Rani George, Director, Department of Tourism.However, she did not disclose more on the project and said that a final picture would emerge in a couple of weeks or so. Sources said that the idea is to offer biowaste plants of mini and major sizes to the households and hotels with a very low beneficiary contribution. The Department would provide subsidy for setting up the plants.The Tourism Director said the project is before the Government for a final clearance. The project has been included in the Department’s annual plan proposals under a special head, taking into view the urgent need for proper solid waste management schemes, she said.The Harbour ward, which includes the Kovalam tourist destination, has been battling a war against plastic menace for some time. Not just the tourist spot, but the roads leading to the place are also litter-filled. However, Harbour councillor Sudheer Khan said a private agency has been engaged in collecting kitchen and plastic waste in the area, helping things."The kitchen waste is high in demand in pig farms and the plastic is collected and transported outside. However, the new project by the Tourism Department could well be a new beginning. We are planning to launch a campaign on the project soon,’’ Sudheer said.According to him, biowaste plants that cost Rs 10,000 and more would be made available to houses and restaurants with a meagre beneficiary cost. Houses could opt for plants with a treatment capacity of 2 tonnes and more and that too from a long list of agencies in the job. Through the campaign, the public would be introduced to the different options they have. He added that a final decision regarding the subsidy was yet to be arrived.
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