The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has announced plans to bring the recyclable waste generated at Sabarimala under a regulated collection and disposal system starting with the next pilgrimage season.
Under the new arrangement, the practice of auctioning plastic, metal, bottles and other scrap from Sannidhanam and Pampa will end. TDB has partnered with Clean Kerala Company to manage waste removal from the temple and the Pampa river, with the proceeds from recovered materials earmarked for the Board’s funds.
A memorandum of understanding was signed at the TDB headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram in the presence of Board president K Jayakumar. The agreement was executed by TDB Devaswom Commissioner B Sunil Kumar and Clean Kerala managing director G. K. Suresh Kumar. Work on waste removal is expected to commence shortly after the signing.
In addition, the TDB has decided to delegate the collection and disposal of discarded metal articles and metal scrap at Sabarimala and Pampa to Clean Kerala. An agreement covering this scope will be signed on October 5.
