International Institute of Waste Management (IIWM), Bengaluru, conducted a workshop on 'Temple Waste Management' at Shri Krishna Temple, Udupi District on 11th September 2016. This initiative was started by IIWM and is one of its kinds where in the temple management and hoteliers came together to work towards a cleaner Udupi through Swachh Temples and Swachh Hotels Initiatives as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
The workshop was attended by 27 participants from hotel management, temple management and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan volunteers.
Temples have always emphasized on cleanliness and hygiene and it is well documented in the puranas, vedas etc., through this workshop IIWM emphasized the role of temples and temple management in creating awareness on waste management and sanitation amongst local communities, tourists, hotels etc. Temples can also initiate wastewater management by adopting latest technologies in order to recycle water and reduce the environmental impacts. Cleanliness related / waste management related special offerings or sevas could be initiated as part of waste management awareness programmes at temples.