Over 20 lakh J&K residents engage in various sanitation-related activities

Srinagar, Aug 3: Three days after Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, inaugurated the Swachhata Pakhwada under the banner “The Shuchita Sangram” at SKICC here, an overwhelming participation of public was witnessed, with over 2.25 million citizens from various parts of Jammu and Kashmir engaging in numerous sanitation-related activities.

From bustling district headquarters to the remotest panchayats, the enthusiasm for cleanliness, health camps, awareness drives, Nukkad Natak shows, Swachhata Vans echoed throughout the J&K. On the campaign’s first three days, more than 27587 activities were conducted, and participants collectively spent over 1.4 million minutes in diverse initiatives, as reported on the official IT monitoring dashboard (www.shuchitasangram.in) developed by Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, J&K to cover the day-to-day activities from August 1 to 15.

The mass rallies were held in all the 20 districts of J&K, under the leadership of ACDs, ACPs, BDOs, other officers and field officials of the department.

645 people have also downloaded the “Swachhata Pledge Certificates” from the website in first- three days.

Two IEC Vans, dispatched by LG Sinha, traversed rural areas of Srinagar district and several panchayats in Pulwama district. These mobile units played a vital role in disseminating messages of Swachhata (cleanliness), raising awareness, and educating the public on the significance of hygiene practices.

During the “The Shuchita Sangram” event several pivotal initiatives were inaugurated aimed to foster a culture of cleanliness across J&K, encouraging active participation from all community members.

An IT Dashboard, a state-of-the-art platform for real-time monitoring of sanitation activities, providing transparent and efficient tracking of the campaign’s progress was launched.

A range of projects from awareness campaigns to door-to-door collection, source segregation, household level composting and plastic waste management, as part of the SBM-G, and the Annual Implementation Plan for FY 2024-25, were launched.

Furthermore, an agreement was signed to facilitate the marketing of compost, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and organic waste management.

“Ek Ped Shaheedon Ke Naam”, a ceremonial planting was conducted, symbolising the community’s “tribute to the martyrs, underscoring the campaign’s spirit of respect and remembrance.”

On the occasion, as a token of appreciation, six outstanding sanitation workers and two hospitality entities were honored under the “Swachhata Green Leaf Rating” (SGLR) for their exemplary contributions to maintaining cleanliness. This felicitation recognises the dedication and hard work of individuals and organizations committed to creating a cleaner environment.

“The Shuchita Sangram” represents a crucial milestone in J&K’s journey towards a cleaner and healthier environment. The two-week campaign aspires to instill a deep sense of responsibility among citizens, motivating them to actively participate in sanitation efforts and uphold the values of cleanliness in their daily lives. This initiative reflects the collective resolve of the government and the people of J&K to achieve the vision of a Swachh J&K.