LSGD set to launch five-year campaign to tackle waste crisis

The Local Self-Government department (LSGD) will launch a five-year campaign on waste management on October 2, marking Gandhi Jayanti celebrations.Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji said on Sunday (September 20) that the campaign would bring together various government departments and agencies to address the State’s growing waste management challenges. Agencies under the LSGD will also conduct separate awareness programmes as part of the initiative.Mr. Shaji said waste accumulation was affecting the environment and water sources and had reached a level that posed a threat to human life. Though several measures had been taken in waste management, the situation continued to remain a matter of grave concern, he said.The Minister stressed the need for social intervention in reducing the use of materials that generate waste, improving waste management and creating the infrastructure needed for waste treatment.“We are talking about an issue that we need to consider very seriously,” he said, adding that he had been concerned about the issue even before becoming a Minister, and that information emerging over the past three months had strengthened that concern.As part of the campaign, the Suchitwa Mission is organising a competition to select the campaign name and logo. The department has invited the public to submit creative suggestions. Published - September 20, 2026 08:11 pm IST