Task Force to Monitor Littering Along Highways in Dakshina Kannada
Mangaluru, May 14, 2025: Tired of seeing garbage piling up along the roadsides? The Dakshina Kannada district administration is stepping up with a fresh campaign to stop it.
Under the banner “Swachhategaagi Nimmondige Naavu; Nammondige Neenu” — which means “We’re with you for cleanliness; you’re with us” — a coordinated effort is being launched to tackle the growing problem of waste dumping along roads in both urban and rural areas.
Presiding over a review meeting at the Zilla Panchayat mini hall, Deputy Secretary Jayalakshmi Rayakod instructed officials to implement the campaign seriously, especially around stretches of National Highway 73, where roadside dumping has become a regular eyesore.
As a starting point, four Gram Panchayats — Adyar in Mangaluru taluk and Thumbay, Pudu, and Kallige in Bantwal taluk — have been selected for focused action. To monitor these areas, five-member task forces will be formed, made up of volunteers passionate about cleanliness and the environment. These teams will keep watch over known black spots where waste is regularly dumped.
The campaign will run for three months. During this time, officials plan to not only monitor dumping but also spread awareness and educate the public. Offenders caught dumping trash can expect to face action, said Rayakod.
Bantwal Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Sachin stressed that the key lies in proper waste segregation at the source — be it homes or businesses. “Only if 100% of waste is collected and sorted correctly at the household level can we stop littering along our roads,” he noted.
Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat officials also echoed the need to identify areas prone to dumping and maintain strict vigilance, ensuring that violators are penalized.
To make the campaign more effective, five volunteers will be stationed at key spots during early mornings (5 am to 8 am) and evenings (6 pm to 9 pm) to counsel those trying to dump garbage. Loudspeaker announcements and mobile awareness drives will also be used to reach out to the public, with task force teams conducting regular patrols.
Local panchayat leaders including Kallige Panchayat President Purushottam, Adyar Panchayat President Abdul Jaleel, Thumbay Panchayat Vice President Ganesh, environmental volunteer Nagaraj R. Anchan, and District Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) officials were part of the meeting.
