THRISSUR: No one expected Shavakotta to become such a paradise. This is the answer to those who think that nothing will happen in our country - Minister MB Rajesh noted on Facebook.

The minister is referring to the 'Shavakotta ' garbage heap which was spreading stench in the Guruvayur municipality. Today, instead of garbage, there are flowers and decorative plants. The laughter of children and adults in the newly built, lamp-decorated park. A resting spot for those arriving at Guruvayur.
The Municipal Corporation has given a new look to the place which was called 'Shavakotta ' by the people as there was a crematorium that used wood, among the garbage dump.

Dumping started four decades ago on three and a half acres of Choolpuram. It was uninhabited then. Being a pilgrimage center, the number of visitors increased. And with that, the garbage problem too. Birds often threw waste in wells and other places. The renovation started when the garbage rotted and stunk and people's lives became miserable.

Emphasis was placed on disposal of waste at the source. With 20,000 households equipped with bio bins and mini biogas plants at 90% subsidy, the waste has stopped piling up. Those collected by Harita Karma Sena will be immediately handed over to the disposal agencies.

The first gas crematorium in the district was established to cremate the dead. Gradually bio-fertilizer manufacturing center, agro-nursery, and plastic waste collection were started but the stir slowed down gradually. A new waste collection center, children's park, and recreation center were built in four years. The project was completed at a cost of Rs 1 crore including the share of Central and State Governments.

Project, Amount (in Lakhs)

Children's Park- 43
Rest Center- 20
Garbage dump- 42

Bottles, beds, pillows, iron, etc. will now be collected and disposed of separately
-M Krishnadas,
Chairman, Guruvayur Municipal Corporation.