Kerala is on the path of development and environmental protection is seen as part of the development goals, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Chief Minister said that the Government is trying to make a new version of the Kerala development model a reality. He was speaking after inaugurating the environmental conference organized by the Haritha Keralam Mission at the Tagore Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram. The Chief Minister also released the Water Security Approach Document for New Kerala. The Water Security Approach Document was received by T.V. Anupama, IAS, Special Secretary, Local Self-Government Department.

Vizhinjam International Sea Port holds huge development potential in the state. Water should be ensured for new initiatives started in the state. At the same time, the Chief Minister suggested that when these initiatives become a reality, flawless waste management systems should also be ensured there.

The Chief Minister opined that the activities carried out by the Haritha Keralam Mission, including various campaigns in the environment, water sector and waste management, are creating positive changes in the state. The Chief Minister said that it is essential to ensure water availability at the local level and it is noteworthy that 673 grama panchayats have prepared water budgets keeping this in mind, and reminded that further work is needed on the water budget.

Many changes have been made as part of the Waste-Free New Kerala People's Campaign. The green towns and green tourism centers created as part of this should be expanded throughout the state. The Chief Minister said that the supply of drinking water through tanker lorries will be stopped within three years by restoring water sources and ensuring availability of pure water.

Local bodies, individuals and institutions that have done excellent and exemplary work in the state through local self-government bodies under the leadership of the Haritha Keralam Mission were honored at the event. The Chief Minister honored Neelamma from Kattamudi in Adimali, Idukki, who was inspired by the work done to bring back paddy cultivation in the barren wetlands in the Western Ghats. Neelamma thanked the Chief Minister by giving the rice she brought from Kattamudi, saying that it was the Chief Minister who provided them with food and rice during the floods and Covid. Haritha Keralam Mission Executive Vice Chairperson Dr. T.N. Seema welcomed the gathering. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor Arya Rajendran S., I.B. Satheesh MLA, District Panchayat President Adv. D. Suresh Kumar, State Planning Board Member Dr. Jiju P. Alex, Local Self-Government Principal Secretary T.V. Anupama IAS, KSWMP Executive Director Divya S. Iyer IAS, Kerala Grama Panchayat Association General Secretary K. Suresh, Chamber of Municipalities Chairman Kerala General Secretary M. Krishnadas, MGNREGS Mission Director in Charge Raviraj R., Clean Kerala Company Director G.K. Sureshkumar and others were present. Rajath, Joint Director, Project Implementation Evaluation and Monitoring Department, proposed the vote of thanks.