During the recent Kanwad Mela to maintain cleanliness in the Kanwar Mela region, Ganga Action Parivar, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA), Parmarth Niketan Ashram came together to make the provisions of 20 Dustbins to be placed on the Neelkanth- Kanwad Yatra Marg.
Shri Gopal Ram Binwalji, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Haridwar, personally came to get them placed in the Kanwar Mela region. On this occasion, the SDM said that the Kanwar Mela of Uttarakhand, is a very important event, especially for Swargashram, Rishikesh and Haridwar. Lord Shiva devotees from all parts of India arrive to these pilgrimage cities for this month-long, monsoon season festival. He said that providing necessary service to these devotees, helping them in their journey and inspiring them for the welfare of the nation and the protection of the environment is vital. He lauded and appreciated HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji for leading the way and inspiring these efforts. He also requested other organisations to come forward to support this initiative.
Each dustbin had especially been designed to have separate compartments for organic and inorganic waste and made animal proof so that monkeys and other stray animals would not tamper with the trash, especially as much of the route that they were being placed along was the eco-sensitive Rajaji National Park route. They had been painted green to look attractive and printed with messages of Swachta Kranti to inspire the Kanwar Yatris to support the Swachh Bharat Mission, India (Clean India Mission). The district administration was also roped into ensure the emptying and proper disposal of the waste every day throughout the mela. In addition to this, messages and signage was placed along the route to remind yatris to keep the region clean and green.