Bhubaneswar: Nuapada district in Odisha witnessed an unprecedented community mobilisation as more than 1.42 lakh people participated in a large-scale cleanliness and plantation drive, turning the spotlight on grassroots-led environmental action.
In a coordinated effort lasting just two hours, residents from across the district—including school students, shopkeepers, women self-help group members, volunteers, and non-governmental organisations—joined hands to clean public spaces, collect large quantities of plastic waste, and promote eco-friendly practices. The campaign also saw the plantation of over one lakh saplings, aimed at strengthening green cover and restoring local ecology.
The initiative focused on eliminating plastic waste from streets, markets, and public areas while spreading awareness about sustainable alternatives. Educational institutions played a key role, with students actively engaging in cleanliness activities and plantation work, reinforcing the message of environmental responsibility from an early age.
District officials coordinated the drive with community groups to ensure broad participation and effective execution. The scale and speed of the operation highlighted the power of collective action in addressing environmental challenges at the local level.
Nuapada’s effort is being seen as a replicable model for other districts, demonstrating how community participation can drive meaningful change in the fight against plastic pollution and environmental degradation.
-OdishaAge
