College students get trained for war on waste

KOCHI: To break the ice between the Kochi Corporation and the public on the issue of proper waste disposal and management, a training programme for Environment Master Trainers was held at Town Hall in Kochi on Tuesday as part of Shuchithwa Varsham 2011- 2012, a cleanliness initiative of the Kochi Corporation.The two-day programme, scheduled for Saturday also, focuses on training 300 selected students from seven colleges to act as Environmental Master Trainers.They will have to train students in their colleges and other school students.The aim is to spread the message of proper waste management methods to the public through children.On Tuesday, the students were provided with information on the basic principles and methods of waste management.They will be given practical training on these methods on Saturday.At the end of the programme, the participants will be provided with a certificate and a customised ID card which will give them an upper hand in training the public, the organisers said.Rajan Chedambath, director, Cent r e for Heritage, Environment and Development (C-Hed), gave an introductory session on the issue.Corporation health officer C Santha, CREDAI Clean City Movement executive director Jose Joseph Moonjely and St Teresa’s College associate professor Nirmala Padmananbhan handled technical sessions on various aspects of the waste management issue.Health Officer Santha said the tendency to use drains as dump yards was the cause of mosquito menace.“Even a coconut shell can act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.People should be made aware of the fact that a negligent or lukewarm attitude towards proper waste management from their side will result in highly unhygienic and unhealthy living conditions,” she said.Jose Joseph noted that blaming the Corporation alone for all the problems would not help address the issue.“While pointing fingers at the institution, people forget that they need to do their duty first.Change will be visible only if each individual pitches in for the cause,” he added.Nirmala Padmanabhan’s session focused on the need to segregate waste and treat organic waste at its source itself.Joshi Varghese, Information officer of the Rajagiri Outreach, also spoke.