DC Bandipora reviews progress of Swachhta 50-50, Calls for public support to make Campaign a success

Convener News Desk

BANDIPORA, AUGUST 07: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, today chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of the district-wide Swachhta 50-50 initiative and reviewed the implementation of the ongoing baseline survey and awareness campaign being carried out across the district.

During the review, the Deputy Commissioner was informed that the field-level activities under the initiative had gained momentum across the district. Eco Clubs of 107 government and private educational institutions have started conducting baseline surveys covering 50 households and five shops each while simultaneously creating awareness on source segregation of waste, home composting, use of cloth bags, scientific waste disposal and other sustainable waste management practices.

The meeting was further informed that 720 Anganwadi Centres have also started adopting 50 households and five shops each from August 3. Along with conducting baseline surveys, Anganwadi workers are sensitising families and local shopkeepers on waste segregation at source, home composting, payment of user fee and reducing the use of single-use plastic.

The Deputy Commissioner called upon the public to extend full cooperation to the door-to-door campaign and actively adopt source segregation of waste, home composting and other environmentally responsible practices. She said meaningful and lasting change can only be achieved through collective efforts and active community participation.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all line departments to mobilise their field functionaries for sustained IEC activities, encourage behavioural change among citizens regarding source segregation, home composting and responsible waste management, and extend full support for the effective implementation of the initiative at the grassroots level.

Reviewing the progress, the Deputy Commissioner said that Swachhta 50-50 is a unique initiative of the District Administration based on the principle of 50 percent Government and 50 percent public participation, aimed at building a sustainable and scientific solid waste management system across Bandipora. She said the initiative seeks to bring behavioural change at the household level by making every citizen an active partner in maintaining cleanliness.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner stressed that schools and Anganwadi Centres are playing a pivotal role in taking the message directly to households and creating long-term awareness among the community. She said the baseline survey will help assess existing waste management practices and enable better planning and monitoring of the campaign.

The meeting was attended by Programme Officer ICDS, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Chief Education Officer, Chief Executive Officer Municipal Committee Bandipora and other concerned officers. Zonal Education Officers, Child Development Project Officers, Block Development Officers and representatives from SWAAHA Resources Management Pvt. Ltd. and Rural Sanitation joined the meeting virtually.