Pammal Exnora and its members, under the able guidance of Mrs. Mangalam Balasubramanian, President, Pammal Exnora, has demonstrated that in areas in transition from rural to urban, where service delivery by government is weak, civil society organizations have an important role and enormous potential to improve local environment which will have dramatic ripple effect in bringing improvements.

Today Pamal is an example of how civic engagement and people's partnership can be used to achieve Source Segregation of Solid Waste, Vermi composting of organic waste, Sale of recyclables and the Restoration of the Pammal Lake that lead to a green Pammal. Exnora Green Pammal is a unique joint venture of Private, Public and Government participation to improve the living environment and to promote more enviro-friendly sustainable human settlements

In addition these practices have generated jobs for many unemployed youth as street beautifiers and encouraged the existence of Micro Enterprises. Training Programs have also been given to the workers on how to recycle and instructions on Value Added Sales have also helped many workers ensure a self employment practice for themselves.

Since its start in 1994, Pammal Green Exnora has now been able to standardize the collection and composting methodology over time to suit the local conditions. The zero waste center used is unique in many respects. Garbage collection is done through street beautifiers with cycle waste collection carts.

The compost produced is further sold as fertilizer and even though subscription fees collected from every household is minimal the Exnora Green Pammal project has been able to sustain its self economically since 1994. There is no more dumping or burning of the garbage in any of the 21 wards of the Pammal Municipality. In summary the impact of the Pammal Green Exnora project has been a highlighted effort towards sustainable human settlement and living environment.

In the beginning, before the start of the initiative Pammal Municipality and its 21 wards were a mess of garbage being dumped and burnt in open plots. The unhygienic atmosphere and almost negligible waste management by the municipality saw the pollution and destruction of the Pammal lake. The most affected due to these unhealthy practices were the slum dwellers who had their settlements near to the dumping sites. There was also wide spread apathy among residents and sicknesses would always exist due to the unhygienic conditions especially among women and children.

The first and foremost priority established by Pammal Exnora was garbage removal and the introduction of Zero Waste Management eventually in an effort to cover all 21 wards. After that the priority was to motivate and involve the community through establishment of a Women's Self Help Group within the community called Sri Sankara Mahalir Manram. Improving the living environment for the marginalised communities and the restoration of the Pammal Lake through desilting and recharging of the ground water table through rain water harvesting was also another priority established for the initiative.

The major objectives to encompass the civic problems of Pammal were formulated by Pammal Exnora under the guidance of Mrs. Mangalam Balasubramaniam with inputs from the Self Help Groups and some participation from the local body. The main objective of implementing a Zero Waste Management Center was achieved with a strategy of door to door campaigns and awareness creation drives. The contribution from each household of the municipality is kept minimal. This has ensured their participation. Women members of the initiative were incharge of each street, the collection of garbage was started with their supervision. The other objective included implementing Rain Water Harvesting and restoration of the Pammal Lake

The Pammal project with help from its partners mobilized all the resources required for the project. The project raised more than 1.2 million rupees from community, businesses and industries in Pammal for the restoration of the lake. The support of the local council and government officials were sought for the project. This was the first instance in Tamil Nadu that an activity of this magnitude was carried out with community participation without receiving any grant from the Government. For natural cleansing, fish and other plants and trees have been introduced, which is purifying the water. Still this water is not fit for drinking because of chrome in the water and the sewerage contamination. The water is being tested at regular intervals and the quality of water is improving each year. To improve the environment around the tank 1800 trees have been planted around it together with a broad walkway for people to take walks and enjoy the view of the lake. To walk on the bund people have to pay Rs. 10 as a monthly membership which is used to hire a guard/gardener, who waters the trees and keeps the surrounding areas clean. A donor has given a children's park next to the tank. The participation of the women's group has been crucial in raising funds for the project. The responsibility and accountability of the funds lie with the Exnora Green Pammal project. In 2004, PepsiCo officials visited and they were impressed with the performance, they had decided to cover the cost of training, campaigns and infrastructure.

The project with its efforts has succeeded in achieving many results. There has been an actual improvement in the living environment for people especially for women and children. The cleaner atmosphere and litter free streets are the first noticeable achievement. There is today better coordination and integration between the various partners, organizations and institutions. Today women's groups, local government and youth groups have joined hands to work together.

The initiative taken by Exnora in the field of Solid Waste Management has facilitated in designing the Municipal Solid Waste Management and Handling Rules 2000, This was a supreme court enactment giving directions to municipal bodies on Solid Waste Management. This is a great step forward to increase accountability among local bodies for Solid Waste Management and Disposal practices.

There has been a great change in people's attitude since the project, particularly among those who opposed the women's initiative and the efforts taken, later appreciated their efforts and joined hands when they saw the results themselves. The project has been a source of great motivation for many involved in the project,

STREET BEAUTIFIERS COLLECT GARBAGE AND SEGREGATE IT AT SOURCE ITSELF

ORGANIC WASTE IS OFF-LOADED FROM THE CYCLE CART AND THE WASTE IS TREATED

ORGANIC WASTE IS MIXED WITH COWDUNG & DEPOSITED AT THE BOTTOM OF COMPOST TANK, EARTHWORMS ARE INTRODUCED AND COMPOST IS READY IN 30 DAYS

COMPOST AFTER SEPARATING THE WORMS & THE RESULT OF ALL THIS IS A CLEANER PAMMAL

Contact Info

Address
Exnora Green Pammal
No 14, 7th Street, Sri Sankara Nagar, Pammal,
Chennai - 600 075. India.

Contact Person
Mrs. Mangalam Balasubramaniam - Vice Chairperson,
Exnora International,
Phone - 09841406660