Ganderbal, Jan 04: The Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) in collaboration with the “Go Green Sonamarg” initiative by Jammu & Kashmir Eco-Watch organised a clean-up drive at the Golden Glory Eco-Park on Thursday.
The event saw coordinated efforts from esteemed organizations, including SDA, Department of Tourism Kashmir, J&K Forest Department, Department of Wildlife Protection, Forest Protection Force, J&K Tourist Police, and Ponywalla Association, Sonamarg.
More than 150 conscientious citizens, locals, green ambassadors, stakeholders, and Sonamarg Development Authority officials actively participated in the initiative. Named “Golden Glory Eco Park Cleanup”, the effort marked the beginning of the year with a focus on green practices, aligning with the New Year’s resolution of Jammu & Kashmir Eco-Watch. The overarching vision is to metamorphose Sonamarg into a greener, cleaner, and plastic-free destination.
This clean-up drive stands as a significant step toward promoting responsible and sustainable tourism, echoing the concept of plastic-free practices in alignment with Earth Day Network – India’s theme. A subsequent massive clean-up drive is scheduled for Sunday as part of “Sundays for Sonamarg,” targeting the breathtaking ‘Thajwas Glacier.’ This initiative aims to restore Sonamarg’s pristine ecosystem and serve as a model for other tourist destinations in Jammu & Kashmir.
The organizers expressed gratitude to Jammu & Kashmir Eco-Watch and Dr Alyas Nasir, CEO of SDA, for their unwavering commitment and support, making these initiatives both lucrative and result-oriented. They said the core objective of “Go Green Sonamarg” is to promote plastic-free, sustainable, and ecotourism practices, with an emphasis on Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) to raise environmental awareness.
Jammu & Kashmir Eco-Watch has imitated all responsible citizens to join hands in restoring not only Sonamarg but every tourist destination across the state, including the Jammu region. Emphasizing the collective responsibility of citizens in safeguarding the environment, the organization has expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed with honesty, dedication, and a genuine commitment to nature and Mother Earth, setting the stage for a positive change resonating across every corner of Kashmir.
