Swachhata Hi Sewa: Awareness Campaign Held in J&K's Anantnag District

A district-level awareness camp on "Swachhata-Hi-Sewa" was held in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Thursday. The camp was a part of a week-long sanitation drive under the public awareness program. Under the program, the people were made aware of the single-use of plastic and segregation of the plastic waste from the collection points. Awareness will be spread through Masjid's Imams, posters and handbills.  

Officials from various sectors join the initiative 

The District Development Commissioner (DDC) directed the officials of the education, health, forest, revenue, public health engineering (PHE), irrigation and urban development departments to join hands and become part of the sanitation drive. The Commissioner also directed the Municipal Cooperation of Anantnag and adjoining area to ensure the collection of waste from the areas and its dumping at an identified site for segregation and treatment. On September 28, a cleanliness drive will be held at Pahalgam district for disposal of waste including polythene and plastic. The "Swachhata -Hi-Sewa" was flagged by PM Narendra Modi at the event ‘Gandhi at 150’ held on the sidelines of UNGA in New York. 

Read: Calcutta High Court bans single-use plastic on the court's premises

‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ - a campaign to eliminate single-use plastic 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the need to get rid of single-use plastic in India a few weeks ago. While he was addressing the ceremony to inaugurate the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh (UP), he also flagged off the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' initiative as well as the National Artificial Insemination Programme. He said, "Mahatma Gandhi's 150 birth anniversary year is a year of inspiration. This is the logic behind the commencement of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign. This movement, starting today has been dedicated to the elimination of plastic menace. Brothers and sisters, the problem arising out of plastic usage is becoming dangerous day by day. You, the residents of Mathura know very well how plastic leads to the death of animals''. Dignitaries like UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Mathura Member of Parliament Hema Malini were present on the occasion. 

Read: UN Chief Guterres praises India's decision to ban single-use plastic

Antonio Guterres praises India’s decision to ban single-plastic use  

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres on Tuesday praised the Indian Government's decision to ban single-use plastic in the country. The government's move is also being seen as an initial effort that goes beyond mere talks of climate change. "I would like to take the opportunity to thank the government of India for supporting the elimination of single-use plastics and for the installations of solar panels and the green roof on top of the conference building in the United Nations headquarters," said Guterres. PM Modi was also seated in the audience during UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's address. 

(With Agency Inputs)  

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