Kodagu district is buzzing with enthusiasm as the “Swacha Kodagu-Sundara Kodagu” (Clean Kodagu-Beautiful Kodagu) campaign prepares for a massive cleanliness drive. Set for Wednesday, October 15, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., this initiative has garnered widespread support across the region, aiming to transform Kodagu into an even more pristine and attractive place.
The campaign is a testament to strong community collaboration, spearheaded by the Kodagu Hotels and Resorts Association. It brings together a diverse array of partners, including the district administration, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat, Kodagu Chamber of Commerce, Kodagu Homestays Association, alongside active participation from Rotary and Lions Clubs, the Department of Tourism, Red Cross, and numerous other local and educational institutions. Impressively, over 220 associations and organizations have pledged their support, highlighting a unified vision for a cleaner Kodagu.
High-profile inaugurations are planned across the district. MLA Mantar Gowda will launch the main campaign at Madikeri’s General Thimmaiah Circle. Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, and Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena will also be in attendance. Elsewhere, MLC M.P. Sunach Kushalappa will kick off the drive in Gonikoppal, while B.R. Nagendra Prasad, President of the Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce, will lead efforts in Kushalnagar. Virajpet’s event will be inaugurated by Teethir Dharmaja Uttappa, District President of the Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee, and Somwarpet will see its launch led by Rohith, President of the Taluk Homestay Association, and B.S. Sundar, Vice-President of the Hotels and Resorts Association.
Youth are playing a crucial role, with 1,500 NSS students from 23 Kodagu University-affiliated colleges dedicating their time to clean their campuses. Students from other schools and colleges across the district are also joining in to spruce up their institutional premises. Furthermore, officials and staff from the Kodagu District Cooperative Central Bank, among other entities, have enthusiastically committed their support.
Local traders are also stepping up, encouraged to ensure the areas around their businesses are spotless. Kundyolanda Dinesh Kariappa emphasized that public participation is entirely voluntary, underscoring the community-driven spirit of the event. All waste collected on October 15 will be efficiently transported to the solid waste management plant in Mysuru, with full assistance from panchayat and local body officials.
Naseer Ahmed, General Secretary of the Association, highlighted that government office staff, private school teachers, bank employees, and students are welcome to join the efforts between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. The campaign’s primary focus is on meticulously cleaning the major roads and highways that crisscross the district, ensuring a visible impact on Kodagu’s overall cleanliness and aesthetic appeal.