Latest news with #DipinDileep
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
1,900 households registered under Digital Haritha Karma Sena
Heal Ponnurunni Society (HPS) in the Ponnurunni East division of the Kochi Corporation, which has emerged as a model in sustainable waste management since its inception in December 2023, has set a new benchmark in QR code-based user fee collection for doorstep waste collection by the Haritha Karma Sena. A total of 1,828 households have been registered across the division. In May alone, ₹1.98 lakh was collected as user fees under the Digital Heal Haritha Karma Sena initiative, while the total collection since the launch of the project stands at ₹38.67 lakh. Outstanding dues amount to ₹6.58 lakh. The QR code-based user fee system has been integrated into Kochi Corporation's multi-purpose app, My Kochi. 'Ours is perhaps the only division in the State where QR code-based user fee collection has been fully implemented. Elsewhere, scanning the QR code only reveals whether a household is giving its waste to Haritha Karma Sena or not. In our case, multiple households in the same multi-storeyed buildings have been brought under the QR system using separate building numbers issued by the Corporation,' said Dipin Dileep, division councillor. The waste collected is scientifically and hygienically converted into organic manure, without leaving any room for residents to complain about issues such as foul odour. Two months ago, HPS began marketing its organic manure under the brand name Heal Environment. The enriched manure is sold at ₹30 per kilogram and the raw manure form at ₹20 per kilogram through a small outlet near the Vyttila flyover. The product has received a positive response, with repeat customers generating ₹31,726 in sales during the period. 'We are also engaged in organic farming using our own manure on vacant plots, based on agreements with the landowners. Currently, we are cultivating vegetables on 76 cents spread across four such plots in the division. The produce is sold under the brand Heal Harvest, which has brought in ₹57,158 so far, along with ₹12,481 from the sale of grow bags. The initiative also addresses complaints about vacant plots turning into dumping yards,' Mr. Dileep added. The Kochi Corporation has also granted HPS permission to collect waste from small establishments that are not classified as bulk waste generators. The income from these initiatives helps HPS cover its operational expenses, including staff wages.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
ICAR-CIFT, Heal Ponnurunni Society sign pact
Heal Ponnurunni Society, which has set a model in sustainable waste management, and the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). ICAR-CIFT director George Ninan and Heal Ponnurunni Society president and Kochi Corporation councillor Dipin Dileep signed the MoU in the presence of Mayor M. Anilkumar. Mr. Ninan explained the technologies developed by ICAR-CIFT under the Swachhta Action Plan. ICAR-CIFT has developed Bioboost, a bacterial consortium and compost, and Microboost, a consortium for waste management for environmental protection and ecological farming. As part of the agreement, these products were handed over to Heal Ponnurunni Society. ICAR-CIFT will assist the society in expanding its activities across more areas. The Heal Ponnurunni Society's project of collecting waste from households and establishments and turning it into organic manure for farming has received widespread attention and won recognition at various national and local conclaves. The manure being marketed by the brand name Heal Environment is sold for ₹30 per kilogram. The society also undertakes farming on vacant plots in the division based on an understanding with landowners. At present, farming is under way across 76 cents. Crops thus cultivated are being sold through the society's Heal Harvest outlet near the Vytilla flyover. Residents in the division can contact the society for issues like waste movement through its call centre (Ph: 8139060345).
