In a bold move to crack down on public littering, the Kerala government is turning citizens into what could be described as “litter bounty hunters” — offering them better incentives to report waste-dumping offences with solid evidence.
Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh announced that individuals who report littering with proper evidence will now receive a reward equivalent to one-fourth of the fine imposed on the offender. Incentives for reporting littering are not new, but until now, the reward was capped at ₹2,500. The government has now removed this limit, meaning those who provide valid evidence leading to a fine will receive 25 per cent of the fine amount, with no upper cap.
This move enables higher rewards for those who report serious offences. The minister directed that all local self-government institutions must ensure that everyone who reports such incidents with proper evidence receives their due reward.
Members of the Haritha Karma Sena, NSS volunteers, SPC cadets, college students, and the general public should all be included in this surveillance system, he said. A large number of complaints are now being received through the dedicated WhatsApp number 9446700800. A special control room has been set up at the Directorate of Local Self-Government to monitor and act on these complaints.
The minister added that the government is committed to advancing waste management with active public involvement. So far, 8,674 complaints regarding littering and dumping of waste in public spaces have been received via WhatsApp. Out of these, 5,361 complaints with accurate information were accepted, and action—including waste removal—has been taken in 4,525 cases (84.41 per cent). In 439 cases where complete details and evidence about the offenders were provided, fines totalling ₹33.5 lakh were imposed. Prosecution proceedings have been initiated against 31 individuals based on WhatsApp-reported evidence.
Most complaints have been reported from Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, while the fewest were from Wayanad. Currently, individuals or establishments caught littering or burning waste face fines up to ₹5,000. Discharging sewage into public spaces or water bodies carries a fine ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹50,000. Dumping solid waste or carcasses in water bodies is a punishable offense with fines between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000, and imprisonment ranging from six months to one year. Selling banned plastic items incurs fines of ₹10,000 to ₹50,000. Illegal transport of waste in vehicles can result in vehicle seizure and impoundment.