PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The inspector general of Garhwal range Rajeev Swaroop distributed biodegradable trash bags to pilgrims at the Kuthal Gate in Dehradun and urged people not to litter roads, valleys or mountains during the pilgrimage to promote a clean and environmentally sustainable Char Dham Yatra. He appealed to travelers to use the distributed bags to dispose of their waste responsibly.
The initiative was organised jointly by the State government, Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board and Janaki Devi Educational Welfare Society. The effort focused on keeping the pilgrimage route clean and minimising environmental damage during the annual religious journey.
Speaking at the event, Swaroop said that the Char Dham Yatra is not only a matter of faith but also one of responsibility. He added that if every pilgrim makes a personal commitment to maintain cleanliness, it will be possible to keep Uttarakhand clean and safe. The IG said that the police have also been trying to ensure that pilgrims do not dump garbage in open or use ban plastics during Char Dham Yatra.
The secretary of Janaki Devi Educational Welfare Society Kavita Chaturvedi, along with other members of the trust, shared that around 50,000 eco-friendly trash bags have been prepared for distribution at no cost. These bags are part of a broader campaign encouraging people to avoid plastic and adopt sustainable practices while traveling in the State.
