Wed Apr 09 14:52:09 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Launches National Conclave on Sustainable Waste Management
**Thiruvananthapuram, April 9, 2025** – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated “Vruthi 2025: The Clean Kerala Conclave,” a five-day national event showcasing the state’s advancements in waste management. The conclave, organized by the Local Self-Government department, aims to highlight successes and plan future initiatives.
Mr. Vijayan emphasized Kerala’s potential to become a global model for sustainable waste management, acknowledging remaining challenges such as public apprehension towards waste treatment plants. He highlighted the significant progress made since the launch of the “Malinya Muktham Navakeralam” campaign, citing the establishment of numerous material collection facilities and the remarkable contribution of the Haritha Karma Sena (HKS), a sanitation workforce that collected 61,664 tonnes of waste in the past year and generated ₹384.9 crore in revenue.
Local Self-Governments Minister M.B. Rajesh described the campaign’s journey, overcoming initial hurdles including public resistance and the need for legislative changes to mandate waste collection fees. He stressed the transformation of the HKS from facing online criticism to becoming a key element of the state’s waste management strategy.
The conclave includes an exhibition and a food festival and will culminate in the release of a vision document for future waste management strategies on April 12th. Kannur district received an award for its exemplary performance in the “Malinya Muktham Navakeralam” campaign. The event was attended by several ministers and officials.
First Piper 