The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are undertaking cleanliness and environmental awareness activities under the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign. ICAR institutes and branches across the country are taking part in the campaign.
The initiatives promote cleanliness, sanitation and environmental responsibility. They also encourage public participation. School children are a key focus of the outreach.
DARE-ICAR and its institutes in the North-Eastern Region have organised activities around educational institutions and local communities. The programmes aim to build awareness of cleanliness, sanitation and environmental conservation among students and local residents.
Swachhata Hi Seva Promotes Sustainable Waste Management
A team of experts from ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Guwahati, identified an initiative in North Sikkim to sensitise students to cleanliness and sustainable waste management.
An exposure visit to Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), North Sikkim, was organised for students. The visit introduced them to cleanliness practices and vermicomposting. It also helped students understand how organic waste can be converted into useful compost.
The initiative linked cleanliness with practical environmental practices. It also gave students an opportunity to learn about sustainable waste management at the grassroots level.
Swachhata Hi Seva Encourages Community Participation
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ri Bhoi, under the ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Meghalaya, also organised cleanliness activities. The drive covered nearby villages and roadside areas around the KVK.
Employees of the organisation and local residents participated in the drive. Their joint participation reinforced the role of communities in maintaining clean surroundings.
Through these initiatives, DARE-ICAR and its network of institutions are taking the Swachhata message beyond institutional premises. The activities bring together students, communities and citizens. They also connect cleanliness with environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
