Ganderbal, March 19: In a first, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department provided a private vehicle and hired local volunteers to collect garbage across the market and houses in the Gund area of this central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Block Development Officer (BDO) Gund Sheikh Arif told Rising Kashmir that to keep the environment clean they are introducing a special initiative programme. He said that for this purpose, a private vehicle along with some volunteers were hired who collected garbage at the Gund Block for the last couple of months.
“The cleanliness drive is done only on Wednesday and Saturday in which we provide a vehicle and a pledge is taken to keep the surroundings clean, properly dispose of the unwanted resources in a scientific manner and to devout time for cleaning self, home, surroundings and workplace,” he said, adding, “A meagre amount of Rs 30 will be charged from each household and Rs 100 a month from shopkeepers for the driver and volunteers who will earn livelihood and the environment will also be clean.”
The BDO said cleanliness is the responsibility of all locals and the department is trying to ensure proper cleanliness and the least usage of plastic.
While informing about the activities of the department, he said efforts are being made for effective solid and liquid waste management. He urged the locals not to throw plastic and go green.
Sarpanch Circle Gund (B) Ghulam Nabi Kaloo said such drives are organised to motivate people to keep their water sources and surroundings clean and aware them of waterborne diseases.
