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 :-

Lack of water at the Institute of Child Health, Kottayam

This was brought to our notice by Dr Ajith Koshy, an old student of this school. It was found that there was adequate water supply to the I.C.H, but the Class IV employees had diverted it into their own quarters where it was being used to irrigate crops. Due to the sustained agitation by the CAF, the water supply was restored.

Solid Waste Management

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, an Environmental Organization, started in Pallikoodam, has filed a Writ of Mandamus in the High Court of Kerala, praying that these Rules be implemented in Kottayam.

For the past seven years Pallikoodam has been involved in the study of Solid Waste Management. We have come to the conclusion that the most pressing problem today is to make the Public aware that their surroundings are as good or bad as they make them. A ban on Plastics and throwing waste in wayside dumps would go a long way in making all Indian towns and cities a better place to live in. Different ways of composting Solid Waste. e.g:

Aerobic Composting, Anaerobic Composting and Vermiculture are common.

We make Solid Waste Management units for households and sell them giving careful instructions about their use.