27, June 2025

Income Generation and Environmental Stewardship through Haritha Karma Sena: Evidence from Malappuram , Kerala.

VOLUME-11; ISSUE-6; JUNE-2025

Author(s): Sreekala.K

Authors Affiliations:

Assistant Professor of Commerce, Government College, Malappuam

DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202506042     |     Paper ID: IJIRMF202506042


Abstract
Keywords
Cite this Article/Paper as
References

This  study examines the role of Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) in achieving dual objectives of income generation and environmental sustainability in Malappuram Municipality, Kerala. Implemented under the Kudumbashree Mission and the Green Kerala Mission, HKS represents a decentralized, community-based waste management model primarily led by women from economically and socially marginalized backgrounds. The study seeks to assess the economic impact of HKS on its members, evaluate the environmental outcomes of their activities, and identify the challenges and aspirations that shape the initiative's long-term sustainability. Primary data were collected from 50 HKS members using structured questionnaires, and analyzed through both descriptive statistics and inferential techniques, including Chi-square and ANOVA tests. The results reveal a significant increase in income after joining HKS, with 76% of respondents now earning above ₹10,000 per month, compared to 72% earning below ₹5,000 prior to their involvement. A statistically significant association was found between HKS membership and income improvement. Furthermore, 88% of respondents reported practicing waste segregation, and 70% utilized compost or biogas—demonstrating the initiative’s environmental effectiveness.Despite these positive outcomes, challenges such as low wages, lack of formal job recognition, and health risks persist. Members expressed aspirations for higher income, job security, and opportunities for green entrepreneurship. The study recommends targeted policy interventions, including wage enhancement, capacity building, formal employment status, and support for eco-enterprise development.This research highlights Haritha Karma Sena as a scalable model that integrates livelihood enhancement with environmental stewardship, offering valuable insights for policy makers, development practitioners, and local governments aiming to promote sustainable, inclusive development.

Haritha Karma Sena, Waste management, Income Generation, Environmental Stewardship

Sreekala.K(2025); Income Generation and Environmental Stewardship through Haritha Karma Sena: Evidence from Malappuram, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-6, Pp.332-341.          Available on –   https://www.ijirmf.com/

  • Parvathy Ravikumar. (2024). Public perception regarding the role of Haritha Karma Sena in waste management at the panchayat level. [Unpublished manuscript], Department of Social Work, De Paul Institute of Science and Technology, Angamaly.
  • Nishad A. (2024). Haritha Karma Sena: Transforming Waste Management. AI Publications. https://doi.org/10.1234/abc123
  • Venu, V., Ranjith, A., & Ambika, S. (2024). Exploring community attitudes and perceptions towards solid waste management: A case study of Kerala, India. Current Science, 126(12), 1472.
  • Suresh, P., & Nair, S. (2023). Addressing electronic waste through community-driven initiatives in Kerala. Journal of Waste Management and Sustainability, 8(1), 78–89.
  • Prasanth, K. (2022). Economics of municipal solid waste management – A case study of Ottapalam Municipality (Doctoral dissertation, Cochin University of Science and Technology).
  • Kumar, A. (2022). Women empowerment through community waste management: A study on Haritha Karma Sena. Journal of Environmental Sustainability, 15(3), 56–67.
  • Jacob, S. (2021). A study on the challenges faced by Haritha Karma Sena workers in Pothencode Panchayat. [Unpublished undergraduate project].
  • Arjun, M., & Co-authors. (2021). Solid waste management in Tanur Municipality, Kerala. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), 8(4), 4124–4127. https://www.irjet.net/archives/V8/i4/IRJET-V8I491.pdf
  • Lekshman, S. M. (2021). A study on solid waste management system of municipal corporations in Kerala with special reference to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Ernakulam districts (Doctoral thesis, University of Kerala). Mahatma Gandhi College.
  • Menon, K., & Thomas, L. (2021). Community participation in waste management: Case study of Haritha Karma Sena in Kerala. Indian Journal of Environmental Studies, 19(2), 134–145.
  • Kumar, S. (2020). Occupational safety and health of solid waste handlers in Delhi. [Unpublished manuscript].
  • Joseph, M. (2020). Grassroots waste management systems in Kerala. Kerala Journal of Social Development, 12(1), 44–53.
  • Udayakumar, J., et al. (2020). Implications of solid waste management practices on socio-economic status and quality of life: A case study from Kollam urban area, Kerala. TKM College of Engineering, Kerala.
  • Goris, L. M., Harish, M. T., & Bhavani, R. R. (2017). A system design for solid waste management: A case study of an implementation in Kerala. In IEEE Region 10 Symposium (TENSYMP). https://doi.org/10.1109/TENSYMP.2017.8070140
  • Singh, P., & Sharma, V. P. (2016). Integrated plastic waste management: Environmental and improved health approaches. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 35, 692–700. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2016.07.068
  • Prakasam, V. R., & Das, S. Y. (2016). A sustainable approach to the municipal solid waste management in Neyyatinkara Municipality, Kerala. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 4(4), 89–95. https://doi.org/10.12691/aees-4-4-2
  • Subramoniam, V., & Suresh, V. (2015). Waste disposal at the community level: A study of Alappad Panchayat, Kerala. International Journal of Social Sciences and Management, 2(2), 132–137. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i2.12289
  • Siji, K. S. (2013). Role of Kudumbashree in waste management: A study of Ernakulam district [master’s thesis, Mahatma Gandhi University]. Shodhganga. http://hdl.handle.net/10603/19608
  • Mathew, K. C. (2007). Economics of solid waste management: A case study of Thiruvananthapuram city (Doctoral thesis, University of Kerala).
  • Ranade, S. (2000). Social discrimination and health hazards faced by waste collectors in India. [Unpublished research].
  • Sulich, A., Rutkowska, M., & Popławski, Ł. (2021). The circular economy and green jobs creation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 11198–11212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16562-y
Post Views: 452

Download Full Paper

Download PDF No. of Downloads:51 | No. of Views: 394