Volunteers and stakeholders participating in the ‘Clean Coorg’ campaign in Kodagu on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The ‘Swachh Kodagu Sundara Kodagu’ campaign held on Wednesday evoked a positive response from the public, in what is reckoned to be the largest such initiative in the district.
Held simultaneously across the district, it was organised by the Coorg Hotel and Restaurant Association and entailed the participation of thousands of volunteers and stakeholders.
Mantar Gowda, MLA; Venkat Raja, Deputy Commissioner; and others inaugurated the event at General Thimayya Circle in Madikeri.
Mr. Gowda, while appreciating the initiative and the spirit behind the campaign, said that Kodagu was endowed with natural and scenic beauty and it was the duty of every citizen to protect it. He drew attention to some of the policies of the district administration and pointed out that there was already a ban on Single-Use Plastic (SUP) and the sale of water bottles below the capacity of two litres — all of which has helped reduce waste.
Stating that cleanliness should not be a one-day affair, Mr. Gowda called for a 24×7 drive throughout the year so as to ensure that cleanliness becomes a part of culture of the district.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that the waste collected during the campaign would be shifted to a waste management facility for the scientific disposal of garbage. Nodal officers have been appointed to oversee waste collection and its proper disposal in all taluks, said Mr. Venkat Raja.
K. Dinesh Kariappa, who represented the assocaition, said that over 320 organisations took part in the campaign and the response exceeded expectations. Although tourism has been blamed for environmental problems, efforts have been made to promote sustainable tourism and this initiative was a part of it, added Mr. Kariappa.
The association said that the ‘Clean Coorg’ campaign will not be a one-day affair but similar drives will be held at local levels periodically across the district with a focus on places of tourist interest.
The campaign was supported by the Kodagu district administration, zilla panchayat, Tourism Department, and Madikeri City Municipal Council among others.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / October 15th, 2025
