Pulincunnoo
Grama Panchayat

Every year in Kerala, village panchayats organize massive clean-up activities before the start of the heavy monsoon season. These activities are mainly aimed at protecting public health and preventing diseases like dengue, chikungunya, rabies and diarrhea which are rampant during the rainy season. Sanitation activities are not only an administrative process but also a social responsibility with the participation of the people.

The importance of cleaning activities

The formation of water bodies during the rainy season creates favorable conditions for the growth of mosquitoes. Therefore, it is essential to carry out source reduction activities before the rains. Removing unused containers, tires, coconut branches, and plastic bottles piled up around houses helps prevent mosquito growth.

In addition, the accumulation of garbage also causes the spread of germs. Therefore, cleaning camps are organized under the leadership of panchayats to clean public places and instill a sense of cleanliness among the people.

Drainage cleaning and gutter cleaning

Cleaning of drains and canals is crucial to avoid waterlogging during the monsoon season. Panchayats, with the help of job-guaranteed workers, clean the drains on the roadsides and remove soil and plastic waste.

The possibility of flooding increases as the waste accumulated in canals and canals obstructs the flow of water. Therefore, such areas are cleaned with special care during the pre-monsoon period.

Waste disposal activities

Since plastic waste creates major health and environmental problems during the monsoon season, the Panchayats are organizing plastic collection camps. Steps are being taken to collect plastic waste from homes and businesses and dispose of it scientifically.

Under the leadership of Harithakarma Sena, organic-inorganic waste segregation is being promoted and awareness is being raised from house to house. The Panchayats are also organizing various campaigns to ensure public participation in waste management.

The role of the Harithakarma Sena

Harithakarma Sena plays a crucial role in achieving a clean Kerala. They are active in collecting inorganic waste including plastic from households and taking it to recycling centres.

As part of pre-monsoon activities, Harithakarma Sena also carries out activities such as hygiene checks in households, detection of water bodies, and elimination of mosquito breeding grounds. Their role in creating awareness among the public about the need for cleanliness is also noteworthy.

Health awareness camps

Health awareness classes and camps are organized in collaboration with the Health Department, Panchayat and Kudumbashree workers. Symptoms and preventive measures of diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya and leptospirosis are made known to the public.

Health workers create awareness about the need to maintain cleanliness in homes, schools and public places. Instructions are given to the public such as covering rainwater storage containers, boiling drinking water and keeping the surroundings clean.

Collaboration between Kudumbasree, youth clubs, and employment-guaranteed workers

Kudumbasree workers and youth clubs actively participate in panchayat sanitation activities. They are at the forefront of activities such as door-to-door awareness campaigns, participating in sanitation camps, and cleaning public places.

Workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme play a major role in drainage cleaning, clearing of forests, and waste disposal activities. Panchayats effectively implement sanitation activities through collective action.

House-to-house hygiene inspection

At the panchayat level, health workers and Haritha Karma Sena members visit homes and conduct hygiene checks. They identify areas where mosquitoes are likely to breed and provide instructions to eliminate them.

People are being made aware of issues such as removing containers with stagnant water, disposing of waste properly, and keeping the surroundings of the house clean.

Monsoon Prevention: The Importance of Hygiene

Diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, and diarrhea are prone to spread rapidly during the rainy season. Sanitation activities are essential to prevent these. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites is crucial in reducing the spread of diseases.

In addition, access to clean water, environmental sanitation, and waste disposal are fundamental components of a healthy society. Panchayat-led sanitation activities help improve public health and boost immunity.

Conclusion

Sanitation activities ahead of the monsoon season are an important part of a panchayat’s health and safety activities. Sanitation activities are successful when government departments, health workers, Haritha Karma Sena, Kudumbashree, youth clubs, employment-guaranteed workers, and the general public work together.

Such activities are essential to strongly convey the message of “Sanitation is the foundation of health” to the society and to create a healthy rural community. It is the need of the hour for every citizen to become an active participant in sanitation activities to prevent monsoon diseases.