In a historic and inspiring display of collective civic responsibility, Kodagu district witnessed an unprecedented cleanliness drive under the Swach Kodagu – Sundara Kodagu (Clean Coorg – Beautiful Coorg) campaign, spearheaded by COHERA, marking one of the largest coordinated environmental initiatives in the region’s history.
Over 30,000 enthusiastic participants, representing more than 330 organisations, came together across the district with a single goal, to make Kodagu clean, beautiful, and sustainable for generations to come. The campaign, conducted across 145 identified locations, covered 178 areas and 145 mapped routes, with 17 collection points and six strategic locations designated for coordinated waste management.
The scale of participation was remarkable as volunteers used 9,200 garbage bags and 33,800 gloves during the drive, demonstrating meticulous planning and widespread public involvement. Their collective efforts resulted in the collection of over 200 tons of waste, marking a record for cleanliness initiatives in Kodagu.
In a significant milestone, for the first time, garbage collected in the district has been sent for recycling outside Kodagu, reflecting a major step towards sustainable waste management and environmental conservation.
The campaign’s success showcased the power of community participation, with educational institutions, civic bodies, NGOs, and residents playing their part. Beyond waste removal, the initiative has created renewed awareness about the importance of preserving Kodagu’s natural beauty and ecological balance.
Officials and volunteers expressed hope that this movement will inspire a long-term behavioural change among residents and visitors alike, ensuring that Kodagu remains clean, green, and pristine.
“We will ensure that this campaign becomes an bi-annual event so that both the present and future generations continue to uphold the spirit of cleanliness in Coorg under this noble initiative,” said Dinesh Cariappa, President of COHERA.
He added that the success of the ‘Swach Kodagu – Sundara Kodagu” campaign has set a strong foundation for sustained community action and environmental responsibility across the district. By institutionalising the campaign as a yearly movement, COHERA aims to nurture a culture where cleanliness and environmental awareness become a shared value among citizens, institutions, and visitors alike.
The campaign stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when citizens, administration, and organisations work together with a shared vision – a cleaner, healthier, and pristine Kodagu.
Post Script:
CLN is relieved to see Cleanliness is next to Godliness being practiced after the Theerthodbhova ceremonies at Talekaveri. However, there were many instances of reverting to type elsewhere.
Steps for sustaining this initiative:
– Segregation of waste is critical.
– Daily collection by Municipality and Panchayat is esstential.
– Conversion of wet waste to valuable organic manure by individual households to be taught; also at Town garbage collection centres.
– District Administration to PUSH for WASTE PROCESSING UNIT(S) for Kodagu, since it is a very high tourist footfall area. The logic is simple – please reinvest a small part of the GST/Liqour revenues into better basic infrastructure.
– Lastly, the large resorts – EvolveBack, Taj Group, Mahindras, Marriott, Coorg Wilderness, Tamara, IBNI….. can show some corporate responsibility and LOOK AFTER ALL STAKEHOLDERS-NOT JUST THEIR SHAREHOLDERS! Reinvest some of the profit earned into keeping Kodagu’s environment clean.
It was good to see all the schools and colleges participating in this great event. Involving them at a young and impressionable age is always good. Hopefully the elders will learn from the youngsters and will be embarrassed throwing garbage in the open.
It was wonderful to see all community Sanghas’ participate. A testimony to Coorg’s inclusive existence – challenged only by political maneuvering and unwanted religious overtones. Stay focused on what is relevant for Kodagu.
Well done COHERA and all those who participated. Needs to be sustained.
What a phenomenal outcome – kudos to all who participated and COHERA’s quiet leadership for pulling off something of this scale. Reminded one of the spectacular Kodavaame Balo Nadp with a difference – every community participated to a common cause. Fantastic 👏👏
The summary of steps to make this an enduring exercise is very succinctly presented by CLN – who have been extremely good at their job in reporting major issues affecting Kodagu.
Steps for sustaining this initiative:
– Segregation of waste is critical.
– Daily collection by Municipality and Panchayat is esstential.
– Conversion of wet waste to valuable organic manure by individual households to be taught; also at Town garbage collection centres.
– District Administration to PUSH for WASTE PROCESSING UNIT(S) for Kodagu, since it is a very high tourist footfall area. The logic is simple – please reinvest a small part of the GST/Liqour revenues into better basic infrastructure.
– Lastly, the large resorts – EvolveBack, Taj Group, Mahindras, Marriott, Coorg Wilderness, Tamara, IBNI….. can show some corporate responsibility and LOOK AFTER ALL STAKEHOLDERS-NOT JUST THEIR SHAREHOLDERS! Reinvest some of the profit earned into keeping Kodagu’s environment clean.
A truly commendable initiative by COHERA, backed by the eminent DC Mr Venkat Raja and the 𝐜𝐚𝐧-𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 of the people of Kodagu — collecting over 200 tons of waste through community effort is no small achievement. This campaign proves what can be accomplished when citizens, institutions and local bodies work together. However, to sustain this momentum, it’s essential that the administration invests in daily waste collection, segregation at source, composting education, and proper processing infrastructure. It’s also time for major resorts and businesses in the region to take greater responsibility for the environment they profit from.
Let this not be a one-time event, but the beginning of a cleaner, greener, and more conscious Kodagu.
Fantastic achievement, and congratulations to Dinesh Cariappa who seems to have been the main motivator and organiser of the meaningful project. I hope all the wonderful people who participated and helped us clean up will have been motivated to do this work as part of their unthinking routine and not wait for a campaign as such. There’s no point in waiting for the next person or a govt agency to pick up the trash when we see it, and before it builds up.
Thank you all.
Wow!!! Look at that mountain of plastic collected!!! Congratulations to the entire team. The real job begins now – to convert this success into a sustainable programme leading to ZERO UNATTENDED WASTE.
Coorg Clean Drive – A Record-Breaking Initiative…
The Coorg Clean Drive witnessed an extraordinary participation of more than 30,000 volunteers, possibly the first of its kind in the world a true record in community driven environmental action.
This historic movement has shown that when people come together with a shared vision, transformation is inevitable. If Every landlord and resident is encouraged to take responsibility for the area beyond their own property, keeping the surroundings clean and free from garbage.
With this collective effort and sense of ownership, Coorg will truly remain clean and green forever.
Let’s contribute for better Earth 🌎