Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: To create awareness among people about scientific waste management and mitigate River water pollution due to waste littering during puja ceremonies / rituals, a “Save Tawi Campaign” was organised by J&K Pollution Control Committee, Jammu.
The event coincided with “Holy Sakh Visarjan” which was held in collaboration with DISHA organization, Live For Others-Being helpful foundation & Climate Front Jammu. Around 150 students from GGM Science College, GCW Parade, MAM College, commerce college, Jammu University (Department of Environmental Sciences & Sociology), staff of J&K Pollution Control Committee, Jammu Municipal Corporation and Rural & Urban Development Agency (RUDA) participated.
Awareness cum waste collection camps were setup at two main Visarjan Ghats, viz., Har ki Paudi and Bikram Chowk by the J&K Pollution Control committee in order to reach out to the devotees at the spot of Sakh Visarjan, to interact with them and sensitize them to not immerse any other puja material apart from holy Sakh to prevent pollution of Holy River.
During the “Save Tawi Campaign”, segregated waste collection was done directly from devotees, followed by secondary segregation of waste with help of workers engaged by Jammu Municipal Corporation and all segregated waste including plastic was collected by Rural and Urban Development Agency (RUDA) for further recycling and scientific disposal.
Mata Chunri shall be sent to NGO Goonj, based in Delhi for making dresses for needy children. Coconuts were distributed as Prasad among devotees and local people. Flower waste was collected by JMC for further composting at Bandu Rakh. Clay pots used for growing Sakh shall be used by people for feeding water to birds, food to stray animals etc.
Neelu Gera, Chairperson, JKPCC appreciated the initiative taken by JKPCC, Jammu to raise awareness among people and stressed upon the need to prevent littering and dumping of non-biodegradable items including plastics and polybags etc. She also pointed out that Cleanliness is Godliness and urged all citizens to come forward to ensure Rivers rejuvenation / conservation and pledge for preservation of water bodies for our future generations. She further emphasized that community involvement has proven to be the most effective tool in making such initiatives successful.
The campaign was conducted by the JK Pollution Control Committee under the supervision of K. Ramesh Kumar, Member Secretary, JKPCC, Sat Paul, Regional Director, JKPCC, Jammu, Divisional Officers, JKPCC Jammu (North & South) and Anuradha, Scientist, JKPCC.
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