• Home
  • Har Shaniwar Swachhta Tyohaar: A People-Powered Revolution for a Cleaner Tomorrow

Har Shaniwar Swachhta Tyohaar: A People-Powered Revolution for a Cleaner Tomorrow

In a vibrant display of community engagement and civic responsibility, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across Jammu & Kashmir are taking remarkable strides under the ongoing Har Shaniwar Swachhta Tyohaar campaign. From door-to-door awareness campaigns and cleanliness drives to banning single-use plastics and revitalizing garbage-prone spots, this initiative is reshaping the landscape of urban sanitation with people’s participation at its heart.

Taking the Message Home: Door-to-Door Awareness Campaigns

Spearheading sustainable practices at the grassroots level, multiple Municipal Councils launched door-to-door awareness campaigns aimed at educating residents about home composting and the critical importance of household-level waste segregation.

  • Municipal Council Sopore, in collaboration with the IEC team of District Baramulla, reached out to households to promote the environmental and agricultural benefits of composting.
  • Municipal Council Kishtwar conducted a similar campaign alongside sanitation staff and Swachhta Executives. In addition to household visits, the council organized meetings with sanitation committees to discuss challenges and solutions. Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs) in the area were also cleared and flyers were distributed to reinforce the message.
  • Municipal Council Kathua also joined hands with the community to raise awareness on composting and proper waste disposal, aligning its drive with the broader theme of Har Shaniwar Swachhta Tyohaar.

Guardians of Public Spaces: GVP Clean-Ups and Drain De-Silting

One of the most striking features of this campaign has been the transformation of Garbage Vulnerable Points, previously ignored or misused, into cleaner and more functional public spaces.

  • In Sopore, a GVP was converted into a green zone marked for plantation activities under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, blending cleanliness with environmental restoration.
  • Reasi witnessed a successful GVP transformation drive near the Bus Stand in Ward No. 4, restoring hygiene and community pride.
  • In Bandipora, dedicated sanitation workers and volunteers cleaned the banks of Madhumati Nallah at Kaloosa, demonstrating both environmental stewardship and public involvement.
  • Malikpora saw the clearance of a major GVP and the de-silting of a choked drain near Shaheed Park. Debris was safely removed with the help of a hooper and transported to the designated dumping site.

Greener Cities: Plantation Drives Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’

Further amplifying the campaign’s ecological impact, several ULBs have integrated plantation drives into their weekly activities. By tying this effort with the emotive theme Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, these councils are invoking personal responsibility and a culture of environmental care.

Spaces once overwhelmed by garbage are now being envisioned as future micro-forests and oxygen banks a fitting tribute to both nature and nurturing.

Breaking Free from Plastic: Enforcing the Ban on Single-Use Plastics

Taking bold steps toward sustainability, Municipal Council Udhampur cracked down on the use of single-use plastic within its jurisdiction. Shopkeepers using plastic bags were penalized and strong enforcement measures were put in place to ensure long-term compliance. The message is clear: clean cities cannot coexist with plastic pollution.

Collective Impact, Lasting Change

What sets Har Shaniwar Swachhta Tyohaar apart is its inclusive and recurring nature. By dedicating every Saturday to cleanliness and sustainability, the campaign is embedding sanitation consciousness into the weekly rhythm of urban life. Whether it’s educating door-to-door, reclaiming public spaces, planting trees, or enforcing green laws, every action counts because it’s not just about one day of Swachhta, but a culture of everyday Swachhta.

As these efforts continue to unfold across Jammu & Kashmir, it is evident that a cleaner, greener future is not only possible it is already underway.

Categories:

Leave Comment