New Delhi: In one of the largest citizen-driven environmental initiatives undertaken in the national capital, a massive cleanliness and awareness campaign was organised across 14 Yamuna ghats on June 14 under the theme “14 June, 14 Ghats.” The campaign was launched at the call of the Delhi chapter of Paryavaran Sanrakshan Gatividhi (Environmental Protection Activity) with the objective of promoting river conservation and public participation in environmental protection.
The cleanliness drive was conducted simultaneously at 14 major Yamuna ghats across Delhi, including Chilla Village Ghat, Indraprastha Yamuna Ghat (Nizamuddin), Geeta Colony Ghat, Gandhi Nagar Ghat, Old Iron Bridge Ghat, Wazirabad Ghat, several ghats in Sonia Vihar, Kalindi Kunj Ghat, ITO (Hathi Ghat), Ram Ghat, Shyam Ghat, and Kali Ghat.
The campaign emerged as a remarkable example of public participation and environmental responsibility. Citizens from all walks of life, including youth, women, students, social organisations, resident welfare associations (RWAs), NGOs, and volunteers, actively participated in the effort.
According to organisers, approximately 71 tonnes of waste were collected from the Yamuna banks and ghats during the drive. The waste was subsequently segregated and disposed of through scientific and systematic methods. Alongside the cleanup effort, volunteers spread awareness about river conservation and sustainable environmental practices.
Participants collectively pledged to uphold three key commitments:
- Not to immerse garbage or religious waste into the Yamuna.
- To reject the use of single-use plastic.
- To spread awareness about cleanliness and environmental conservation within society.
The campaign witnessed participation from around 14,226 individuals, including over 2,453 women volunteers and more than 4,254 youth volunteers. More than 684 institutions, including NGOs, RWAs, schools, youth clubs, and social organisations, contributed to the initiative, making it one of the largest environmental awareness drives conducted along the Yamuna in recent years.
Several prominent dignitaries lent their support to the campaign, including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi Government Minister Parvesh Verma, Rakesh Jain, All India Co-Coordinator of Paryavaran Sanrakshan Gatividhi, Vishal Ji, Delhi Prant Pracharak of the RSS, and Jai Kumar Goyal, Delhi Prant Convenor of the environmental initiative. The dignitaries also participated in shramdaan (voluntary labour) at various ghats and interacted with volunteers to encourage greater public engagement.
Organisers described the campaign as more than just a cleanliness exercise, calling it a growing people’s movement aimed at restoring the ecological health of the Yamuna and creating long-term environmental consciousness among citizens. They expressed hope that the initiative would inspire sustained community participation in preserving Delhi’s most important river for future generations.
