Solid Waste Management is a complex issue. The Government has formulated Rules and Regulations on this issue after being pressurized about the enormity and gravity of the matter. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has formulated the Municipal Wastes Management and Handling Rules, 2000. These Rules have guidelines and specifications and different aspects of Waste Management viz. collection, segregation, storage, transportation, processing and disposal. BALA BHU BHADRATHA is an Environmental Organization, started in Pallikoodam, which constantly niggles the Panchayat and Municipality to take their duties seriously.

For the past several years Pallikoodam has been involved in the study of Solid Waste Management. What has emerged is the fact that the most important item on the agenda is AWARENESS. The public must be aware of the methods whereby this terrible scourge can be eliminated. Schools and Colleges must educate children to understand Solid Waste Management. A lot of our time has been spent in experimenting with different ways of composting Solid Waste. e.g:

• Aerobic Composting
• Anaerobic Composting
•  Vermiculture

We make Aerobic Composting Units for households and sell them giving detailed instructions about their use

The Citizens Action Forum (CAF) is a group which meets in school once a month. It discusses various issues, and grievances are highlighted. Suitable action is also taken. The forum provides a platform for the exchange of opinions and interactive discussion . Issues that have been highlighted in the recent past are

• Rainwater Harvesting
• No Water In The Institute Of Child Health (ICH)