Thiruvananthapuram: Giving a sharp economic thrust to the ongoing Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign aimed at building a sustainable and inclusive waste management system in Kerala, entrepreneurs will be roped in as key partners to tap the immense green business potential the ambitious project throws up.
Since collaboration of public and private players is crucial in developing an effective waste management system, the government is making all efforts to bring in private entrepreneurs to explore the business opportunities in this field in a big way, top officials pointed out at a meet on green enterprises, organised jointly by the Local Self Government Department and Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC).
Entrepreneurs from different sectors, including those engaged in the processing of waste materials like plastic, flex, hair, sanitary waste, septage, e-waste, glass, and sewage, participated in the meet.
Inaugurating the meet, Sarada Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary – LSGD, said it was important for the state to draw up a masterplan for developing Kerala into a green economy, and take it forward expeditiously.
Muraleedharan explained the challenges experienced during the campaign so far and sought the wholehearted support from all stakeholders including entrepreneurs.
Suman Billa, Principal Secretary, Industries & NORKA, said Kerala is giving waste management a special status of industry since it is one of the biggest challenges faced by the state.
Anie Jula Thomas, Officer on Special Duty, Industries Department, spoke on the policies and practices pursued by the state for strengthening the private- public participation in the field of waste management and recycling, based on the motto “Reduce, Recycle, Reuse.”
Thomas presented the details of subsidy schemes and other incentives offered by KSIDC to the entrepreneurs engaged in allied activities of waste management.
Jiju P Alex, Member, Planning Board, drew the attention of stakeholders to the changing approach towards the problem of waste management in Kerala in the wake of the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign.
Highlighting the magnitude of the waste management challenges in the present-day world, he urged entrepreneurs to identify business opportunities in this field, adding that the government as well as the local self-government bodies would support such enterprises.
K T Balabhaskaran, ED, Suchitwa Mission, and Suresh Kumar, Managing Director, Clean Kerala Company Ltd. also addressed the meeting.
Subsequently, various entrepreneurs belonging to different sectors made detailed presentations on their business models and the roles they could play in making Kerala garbage-free. Representatives from LSGD, KSIDC, Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP), Haritha Keralam Mission, Suchitwa Mission, Clean Kerala Company, and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board also attended the meet.
