The ‘Swachh Kodagu Sundara Kodagu’ (Clean Kodagu, Beautiful Kodagu) campaign, held recently, received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public, making it the most extensive initiative of its kind ever undertaken in the district.
Organized by the Coorg Hotel and Restaurant Association, the event saw thousands of volunteers and various stakeholders participating simultaneously across the region.
The campaign was officially launched at General Thimayya Circle in Madikeri by dignitaries including MLA Mantar Gowda and Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Gowda praised the spirit and initiative behind the campaign, emphasizing Kodagu’s exceptional natural beauty and the collective responsibility of every citizen to protect it. He highlighted the district administration’s existing policies, such as the ban on Single-Use Plastic (SUP) and the restriction on selling water bottles smaller than two litres, which have already significantly contributed to waste reduction.
Mr. Gowda stressed that cleanliness should not be a one-off event, urging for a continuous, year-round drive to embed cleanliness into the very culture of the district.
Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja assured participants that all waste collected during the campaign would be transported to a dedicated facility for scientific disposal. Nodal officers have been appointed in every taluk to oversee effective waste collection and management, he added.
Representing the association, K. Dinesh Kariappa expressed delight at the turnout, noting that over 320 organizations joined the campaign, exceeding all expectations. He acknowledged that tourism often receives blame for environmental issues but emphasized that this initiative is a crucial step towards promoting truly sustainable tourism practices.
The Coorg Hotel and Restaurant Association affirmed that the ‘Clean Coorg’ campaign is not just a single event. Similar drives will be organized periodically at local levels across the district, with a particular focus on popular tourist destinations, ensuring a sustained impact. The successful campaign received robust support from the Kodagu district administration, zilla panchayat, Tourism Department, and the Madikeri City Municipal Council, among other local bodies.