About 6,055 garbage ‘hotspots’ were identified across the districts in Kerala since March 2023.
The dumping spots were geo-tagged as part of the Waste-free Kerala initiative of the Local Self-Governments department. Of the total 6,055 active garbage spots, about 5,715 sites have been cleared by the local bodies as of September-end, according to official estimates.
Geotag refers to an electronic tag that assigns a geographical location to a photo or video.
The enforcement agencies and special squads deployed to check illegal waste dumping identified 2,888 garbage hot spots on vacant lands. Around 2, 683 spots were found along the road stretches, while 484 garbage spots were located along waterbodies, which included rivers, lakes and canals. The figures revealed the rampant illegal waste dumping in open land, road stretches and water bodies across Kerala.
Of the 2,888 garbage spots on vacant lands, 2,683 have been cleared. About 2,586 hotspots along the road stretches have also been removed. As many as 446 dumping spots along the waterbodies have also been cleared. As much as 94.3% of the hotspots have been cleared after the local bodies stepped up action aimed at making the State garbage-free by 2025.
Surveillance up
Ernakulam had the highest number of garbage hotspots (812) followed by Kozhikode (625) and Thiruvananthapuram (564). Wayanad had the lowest number of garbage dumping spots (63).
The local bodies had imposed fine on violators for dumping waste in public places as per the provisions of the Solid Waste Management norms. Surveillance was stepped up in select spots by installing CCTV facilities.
