3 days ago
Gomti clean-up drive creates awareness to protect environ
Lucknow: During the combined celebration of Ganga Dussehra, World Environment Day and 53rd birthday of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, an environmental awareness and river clean-up drive was organised by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation on Gomti river banks on Thursday, during which hyacinth and plastic waste were removed from the river.
Addressing the event, urban development minister A K Sharma said, "We cannot remain safe by harming environment. Our culture teaches us that all five elements, earth, water, fire, air, and space, are sacred and if we pollute them, we only endanger ourselves." Environmental balance was crucial for human survival, added Sharma.
The campaign began at 6am and covered the 8-km stretch from Gomti Barrage to Gulala Ghat.
LMC divided the riverfront into eight clusters, each overseen by a senior municipal official. Teams removed water hyacinth, idol remnants, plastic and other waste from the river. The initiative included planting over 1,000 saplings of species including Rudraksha, banyan, mango and hibiscus along the riverfront. Sharma and Mayor Sushma Kharkwal participated by planting trees on Laxman Mela Ground.
The event featured interactive activities like 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', 'Plogging for Plastic', and 'Human Chain for Environment' to engage public participation.
LMC commissioner Gaurav Kumar praised collaborative nature of the campaign, which united citizens, officials and volunteers.
Kharkwal dedicated the campaign as a birthday gift to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, highlighting his commitment to environmental conservation and announced plans for similar clean-up drives on national leaders' anniversaries to maintain public involvement. She emphasised that cleanliness was collective responsibility and urged citizens to adopt eco-friendly habits for future generations.
