Minister for Health and Social Welfare P.K. Sreemathy said that Kerala would have to face grave consequences unless urgent measures were adopted to tackle the problems caused by environmental pollution. Speaking after inaugurating a networking programme titled WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) launched by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), she said the drought conditions in parts of the State and the outbreak of epidemics were directly linked to the reckless assault on the environment. "Even the most pristine places in Kerala are today threatened by pollution and accumulation of waste. Our cities and villages are in need of scientific solid waste management facilities," she said.Ms. Sreemathy said citizens had as much of a responsibility as local bodies and health workers in ensuring proper sanitation and vector control. Children could act as ambassadors for sanitation activities, she said. She also released a compendium on Climate Change in Kerala by handing over a copy to Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Board Prabhat Patnaik. The WASH programme involves equipping Anganwadi teachers to impart sanitation and hygiene education to school children. It is part of a national campaign funded by the Department of Science and Technology. The year 2008 being the campaign year for sanitation, WASH aims at the improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene conditions for all. In Kerala, the campaign will be supported by the departments of Health and Social Welfare. As many as 100 Anganwadi teachers from each district will be trained in the first phaseof the participatory project to be implemented through district coordinators of the National Green Corps. The awareness programme is to be based on scientific inputs on the best practices with respect to sanitation, hygiene and drinking water. Waste management, conservation of water bodies and protection of the environment form the thrust areas of the campaign in the subsequent stages.
The Hindu, 6th July,2008
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