Massive cleaning programme planned at Sabarimala

PATHANAMTHITTA: Thousands of volunteers will participate in the first-ever massive cleaning programme at Sannidhanam, trekking path and Pampa in the first week of November to ensure a clean and healthy environment for the pilgrims during the forthcoming pilgrimage season.The cleanliness programme, to be undertaken jointly by Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham, Satya Sai Sanghatan, the National Service Scheme and Ranni block panchayat, will be under the overall leadership and supervision of the district administration and the Travancore Devaswom Board.To be launched at Sannidhanam on November 5, around 3,000 volunteers will participate in the cleanliness programme, sources said. For effective deployment of volunteers, the registration will be done on November 4, they said.The volunteers will clean the four sides of Lord Ayyappa temple, Bhasmakulam area, Malikappuram Devi temple surroundings, Pandithavalam, Oralkuzhi, Valiya Nadapandal, backyard of the Nadapandal and the copra yard, sources said.As part of the cleanliness drive, the volunteers will collect the waste and transport in tractors, mini trailers and small carriers to the open ground incinerators near Malikappuram for disposal. The three incinerators at Malikappuram will be operational during the cleaning programme days, the sources said.PLASTIC WASTE: The district administration, as part of effective implementation of plastic ban, will give thrust on collection of plastic waste, including bottles and carry-bags. The collected plastic waste materials from Sannidhanam will be transported to Pampa and send them for recycling.Intensive drive will be launched on the trekking path and Pampa, including Valiyanavattom, Chakupalam and Triveni as part of the programme, sources said. At Nilackal pilgrims transit camp, a cleanliness programme will be launched at the parking area and surroundings of the Lord Siva temple.