Celebrating 10 Years of Conserving Our Hills
Nov 30
A celebration looking back at the unique campaign going by the name ‘Clean Coonoor,’ which was set in motion post deepavali a decade ago, was held at Hotel Vivek.
Officials, volunteers, partners, funders, and well wishers gathered together for an evening of music and dinner, and not only reminisced about past experiences, but as well ruminated about the future.
The focus was chiefly on ‘Solid Waste Management,’ the challenges that had been faced so far – the experience that was drawn over the last decade – the challenges that were faced – sustainability – and on taking the movement forward through replication in other parts of the District, perhaps something like a ‘Clean Nilgiris’ in the near future.
5th Anniversary & Pre-Deepavali Celebrations at the Waste Management Park
Oct 30
A wonderful afternoon – with the usual exchange of gifts, but with a difference – for precious were the gifts presented to us by our staff – given in good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.
Of all who give gifts, theirs were the most generous, and not to say precious, given in their want, and not from their plenty.
Coonoor River Cleanup, Phase-5
Sep 28
As part of Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Clean Coonoor, and the Coonoor Municipality, organised a 4 day cleanup of the middle stream of the Coonoor River.
Unlike the previous cleanup held 5 years back which focussed on silt and debris removal, this cleanup will in addition concentrate on bank strengthening, planting of native wetland vegetation along the rejuvenated banks, and in establishing a meandering flow.
The event was graced by the Chairperson of the Coonoor Municipal Council, the Municipal Commissioner, other Municipal Officials, officials and representatives from HPCL, and the general public.
It is hoped that the efforts in opening up the channel will prevent or minimise any flooding which is likely to take place during the forthcoming NE Monsoon.
Felicitations
Sep 26
The services of Clean Coonoor were recognised by the DMK Environment Wing at a seminar held at Coimbatore on 26 Sep 2024. Had the honour of receiving the citation from the Honourable Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Thiru. S Muthusamy.
Mass Cleanup
Sep 25
As part of Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, the Pasteur Institute of India – Coonoor organised a mass cleanup along a nearly 3 km stretch from Sim’s Park to Bandishola, and along the railway line from Coonoor to Wellington.
Other government departments, NGOs, and individuals as well participated, and the half a day exercise yield around a ton of waste which was later transported to the Resource Recovery Centre for safe disposal.
Cleanliness is Service
Sep 23
As part of the slew of activities organised by the Wellington Cantonment Board and the Madras Regimental Centre in connection with Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, a human chain highlighting the need for change through community participation was formed in front of the century and a half old barracks. Earlier last week a walkathon was organised to the same effect by the Cantonment Board.
Administrative Commitment
Aug 16
Getting commitment from the administration is key to the success of any programme. The District Collector Mrs. Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru IAS, on a visit to the waste management facility shortly after taking charge.
Jal Jeevan
Jul 18
Inauguration of the Wellington Eco Park in which Clean Coonoor played an advisory role. The wetland was created under ‘Project Amrut Sarovar’ a year earlier as a joint effort by the Army Establishment and Clean Coonoor. The Hinduja Foundation the took on themselves the responsibility of developing it as a full fledged Ec0 Park.
First Neighbourhood Cleanup
Jul 06
A prelude to more to come, the first neighbourhood cleanup was held near Highfield today. A neighbourhood cleanup is just what it sounds like: residents band together to clean up all or part of their neighbourhood.
Today’s affair was a small one conducted chiefly to serve other purposes such as – instilling neighbourhood pride, breaking a cycle of hopelessness and helplessness, giving everyone a chance to contribute whatever they can, improving quality of life and the self-image of residents and of the neighbourhood as a whole, and serving as a springboard for other neighbourhood actions or activities.
Most important of all – to encourage the embrace of diversity in a neighbourhood.
Opening of a Weekly Market for Organic Farmers
Jun 29
‘Once Upon A Time All Food Was Organic.’
This is no fairy tale but a fact. A fact that is either ignored conveniently as impracticable in today’s world with its ever growing population, or sneered at as an emerging fad.
But we have now come a full circle. Driven by concerns about sustainability and toxin exposure, organic food is presently a growing market segment.
A laudable effort by the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops in association with The Nilgiris Organic Horticulture Farmers Association (TOHFA), the opening of weekly market for organic produce of small farmers in Coonoor.
This organisation is in the process of supplying City Compost to the Model Organic Village of Kinnakorai. It will strive to ensure a continuous flow of this commodity prepared at the municipal waste management facility at Ottupatarai – Coonoor.
Women Empowerment
Jun 20
Ms. Malathi Helen, Deputy Project Director, World Bank Assisted Tamil Nadu Women Employment and Safety Project on a late evening visit to the waste management facility, along with officials from the Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Department
A co-financed project, it will ensure generation of skilled women labourers especially those living in rural areas and provide job security.
Participative Learning
Jun 19
The first of a series of participative learning, a student centric activity which encourages learning by doing, using small groups, concrete materials, open questioning, and peer teaching.
Today’s programme was for students of Standard VI, and Brindavan School and Clean Coonoor will be holding subsequent sessions for other Grades on a bi-weekly basis in the forthcoming weeks.
We plan to expand this activity to other schools as well, and also rope in the help of other organisation working along similar lines for a better coverage of activities.
World Environment Day
Jun 05
The theme for this year is ‘Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience,’ a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world.
Keeping in tune with this year’s theme, a re-wilding programme was undertaken by the Cantonment Board, Station Headquarters, Madras Regimental Centre, and other units of the Wellington Cantonment. Brigadier S. K. Yadav presided, and in in his address, stressed upon the importance of joint efforts across different sections of the society for the success of such ventures. In addition to the army establishment and the cantonment board, students of ‘Laidlaw Memorial School and College, volunteers of NGOs, Be My Buddy, You Can Edu, and Clean Coonoor, also participated.
Summer of ’24
May 20
Honouring our Gardeners Tmt Selvakumari & Tmt. Manjula and our jack of all trades Thiru. Ramadevan, for making possible the achievement of being recognised thrice at the Annual Flower Show at Ooty. Their’s was the unenviable task of creating a lovely patch in the midst of the Waste Management Facility.
Administrative Commitment
Apr 26
Creating the kind of climate that will bring about influence without threat.
An unexpected visit made by the Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration & Water Supply. He was much pleased and has assured all support vis-a-vis the sustainability of the project!
Women’s Day
Mar 11
Celebrating Women’s Day at the TOHFA Weekly Organic Market at Ooty with The Earth Trust Nilgiris
‘All for One, One for All’
Feb 16
Students from The Aalam Montessori School, Coimbatore interacting with the staff of the Waste Management Facility. Today’s exercise was different as the kids were asked to go about and find out what’s happening by themselves.
Contrary to all expectations, the main question was as to why people were sticking on to this sort of a job.
Seriously don’t know the answer, perhaps it’s some sort of esprit de corps. Perhaps not all Musketeers come with long capes and plumed hats.
Thank you Youth Conservation Action Network K Ramnath Chandrasekhar for bringing them.
R Day Celebrations at the Waste Management Facility
Jan 26
“There is no room for race hatred here. Let that be our nationalism.”
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Wishing all a Meaningful Republic Day, and on this day, let’s strive and prevent the four pillars of the preamble of the constitution, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, from becoming mere platitudes!
New Burner Commissioned
Jan 19
Thanks to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., the Resource Recovery Centre is now equipped with a State of Art No-Fuel Burner.
Wishing you all, Peace & Prosperity, Comfort & Confidence, and a great 2024!
Jan 01
The New Year greets us like the Old, and we take this opportunity to Salute each and everyone in the Essential Services who gave up their ‘Today’; for our ‘Tomorrow.’
Team Clean Coonoor