Jammu: As a part of Government of J&K’s initiative towards Plastic Free J&K, the J&K Forest Department, J&K Pollution Control Committee and J&K Wildlife Protection Department in association with Producer Responsibility Organizations like Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA), Regional and Urban Development Agency (RUDA) and Non-Government Organizations like W Mars, DISHA, Live for others – Being helpful foundation, Inara Welfare Foundation and Youth for Change and Development, conducted an awareness campaign cum cleanliness drive on the eve of Earth Day 2022 at various locations of J&K under the theme “Plastic Free J&K”.
The campaign cum cleanliness drive were held across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at Mansar, Surinsar, Billawar, Sukrala Devi Ji Shrine, Patnitop, Sanasar, Jai Bhaderwah, Domail, Katra, DKG and Shadara Sharief in Jammu region and Wayen, Kitarbhaji, Rampur/Rajpor, Mattan, Kokernag, Shankarcharya Hills, Ahtwatoo and Dhoodpathri in Kashmir region.
In Jammu region, the campaign was kick started by Dr. Neelu Gera, Chairperson J&K Pollution Control Committee along with Suresh Kumar Gupta, Chief Wildlife Warden J&K and in Kashmir region, the campaign was kick started by Rabi Kumar, Addl. PCCF/CCF, Kashmir.
Chairperson, J&K Pollution Control Committee Dr. Neelu Gera while spearheading the campaign from Sidhra Jammu and participated in the cleanliness drive from Sidhra Forest Check Post Jammu which culminated at Mansar, sensitized the General Public about menace of plastic, which is detrimental to nature and human health. She emphasized on the need to eliminate the use of plastic in the society and appealed to all the stakeholders, Government Departments and NGOs to work together in making the UT of Jammu and Kashmir plastic free.
The Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K Suresh Kumar Gupta while appreciating the efforts of volunteers participating in the campaign and emphasized the need to adopt eco-friendly practices which would save our planet from further degradation in general and J&K in particular.
The plastic waste collected from all sixteen locations during the drive to the tune of 1.29 Tonnes have been segregated and channelized by IPCA for further recycling.
In the plastic free J&K campaign, Member Secretary J&K Pollution Control Committee, Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu, Conservators of Forests, North Circle, Kashmir, South Circle, Kashmir, West Circle Rajouri, Srinagar Circle along with Regional Director, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Jammu/Kashmir, DFO’s of Jammu, Billawar, Reasi, Rajouri, Batote, Doda, Kehmil, Langate, Kamraj, Lidder, Anantnag, Urban Srinagar, Bandipora, Budgam, Divisional Officers, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Jammu North/South, Reasi, Doda, Kathua, Ramban, Rajouri, staff of J&K Forest Department, J&K Pollution Control Committee, J&K Wildlife Protection Department, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Degree College staff and students of Thanamandi Rajouri, Wetland Mitras Surinsar – Mansar, and Volunteers drawn from various Schools and Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir region participated in the campaign.
