Temples to treat own waste

tnn | Nov 9, 2018, 12.30 AM IST

Coimbatore: The garbage yard behind the Perur Temple may disappear soon, thanks to the ambitious ‘Green Cover Project’ of the Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department.
The department plans to implement the project at 40,000-odd temples across Tamil Nadu. It aims to treat all forms of garbage on the temple premises.

As many 100 HR&CE staff working in temples across Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tirupur, Namakkal, Erode, Dharmapuri and Salem underwent training at the Sree Ayyappan Seva Sangam here on Thursday on how to identify biodegradable and non-degradable waste and what can be recycled. “The project is the brainchild of HR&CE commissioner TK Ramachandran. We have tied up with Exnora International to find ways to handle temple waste,” project head BR Ashok said.

All temples will be provided with at least two large garbage bins under the project. “We want to start source segregation as the first step. The main wastes generated at temples are flowers, paper sachets, dhonai on which prasadam is served, coconuts, fruits, food waste generated by devotees, waste water from the temple and toilets. We want to create awareness among devotees about disposing biodegradable waste like food, flowers and fruits into the specific bin. Waste water will be treated in treatment plants. Coconuts will be used to make products. Dhonai will be shredded and composted,” Ashok told TOI.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/temples-to-treat-own-waste/articleshow/66549617.cms