KATRA: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University organised a day-long Swachh Banganga Abhiyaan here today for enlarging awareness about the conservation of environment and ecology of the Trikuta Hills and keeping Banganga clean. The Abhiyaan was organised with the help of International Volunteer Foundation (IVF) Jammu, an NGO working in this field. A number of volunteers of IVF and the students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Kakryal participated in the Abhiyaan.
Dr. Piyush Singla, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, flagged off the participants of the Swachh Banganga Abhiyaan from Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra. Speaking on the occasion, the Additional CEO gave details of the various initiatives taken by the Shrine Board for ensuring sanitation and cleanliness along the tracks, conservation of environment and ecology of the Trikuta Hills and keeping Banganga clean. He also referred to the measures being taken by the Board for implementing green technologies in a big way, promoting use of solar energy, setting up of a number of Sewage Treatment Plants on the track, in the Bhawan area and at different complexes of the Board.
He also appealed all the stakeholders including the shopkeepers and stable owners of Purana Daroor to ensure clean environment along the track and dispose off the municipal solid waste generated in that area in eco-friendly manner. He highlighted the directions of the National Green Tribunal in this regard and called upon everyone to strictly abide by the same.
The participants of the Abhiyaan enlarged the awareness among the pilgrims, shopkeepers and the public at large about the crucial need for conservation of environment and ecology of the Trikuta Hills and keeping Banganga clean. Mr. Kiran Kumar Sharma, Chairman, IVF, gave details of the aims and objectives of organising the awareness campaign. Among those present on the occasion were Mr. Amit Vermani, Dy. CEO, SMVDSB, other officers and staff of the Shrine Board and participants of the awareness campaign.