Swachhta Pakhwada

BY KS NEWS DESK

A two-week cleanliness campaign taken up as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for revamping sanitation endeavors in Kashmir. The campaign is being actively taken up and incorporated as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

Enthusiastic participation at all ULBs in the Kashmir division marked the two-week-long intensive sanitation and cleanliness drive, ‘Swachhata Pakhwada.’ This campaign, launched on August 1, 2024, with the pledge commitment for maintaining high standards of cleanliness in the uptown and rural areas of all the ULBs, concluded with celebrations on Independence Day.

The component aimed at promoting cleanliness and sanitation in cities, towns, and villages, with specific focus on places of high traffic, such as bus stands, railway stations, markets, and public parks. Activities under the component included a comprehensive schedule of events carried out in all 40 ULBs in the region.

Among these are clean-up drives in identified hotspots, sanitation efforts in tourist destinations and heritage sites, and educational programs that will realize cleanliness and behavioral change in schools. The campaign picked up from where the previous Disiplina Muna Teams left off and worked on the revival of the Waste Management Centers, the Waste-to-Wealth Programs, and the pressing problem on the garbage vulnerable points.

The plantation drive ‘Ek Ped Shaheedon Ke Naam’ for the martyrs was one of the first mammoth plantation drives by the campaign. It was done in alignment with the overall initiative to raise awareness on the environment.

The sanitation drive also extended to the migrant camps and transit accommodations, coupled with awareness sessions for the residents and welfare associations. The campaign was participatory for the public, many events, and community engagements.

The campaign was initiated at prime locations in ULBs through effective participation from officials, NGOs, volunteers, and citizens. The public was communicated cleanliness messages through LED displays and outreach programs.

In a nutshell, ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ was filled with eventful community spirit and commitment towards making cleanliness and public hygiene improvement throughout Kashmir, climaxing in collective efforts to celebrate Independence Day in a neat and green environment.