Srinagar, Sep 14: Jammu and Kashmir aims to involve nearly 25 to 30 lakh students in a cleanliness campaign, with children being encouraged to become brand ambassadors and take ownership of public spaces, Commissioner and Secretary, School Education Department, J&K, Ram Niwas Sharma, said on Monday.
Speaking about the initiative launched by the Housing and Urban Development Department, Sharma said the campaign seeks to involve students, teachers and professors across schools and colleges in promoting cleanliness.
He said J&K and Srinagar have historically been known for their natural beauty and pristine surroundings, but the growing arrival of tourists has also highlighted the need to keep public spaces clean.
“Today’s goal is for all our children to become brand ambassadors of cleanliness and start owning public spaces,” Sharma said.
He said people generally keep their homes clean but often do not show the same sense of ownership towards public spaces and government property. The initiative aims to develop responsibility among students towards their surroundings and public assets.
Sharma said there is no reason why Srinagar cannot achieve a better cleanliness ranking than Indore in the coming years.
He also stressed the need to protect J&K’s villages, lakes, mountains, rivers and heritage sites. He said J&K’s villages are no less beautiful than those in Sikkim or Meghalaya and can also aspire to become among the cleanest villages.
Referring to Meghalaya, Sharma said a village there has been recognised as the cleanest in Asia and asked why J&K’s villages cannot achieve similar recognition.
He also called for greater focus on protecting the Jhelum and preserving the region’s lakes, mountains and heritage.
Sharma said the campaign also promotes the concept of “Waste to Wonder” and “Waste to Wealth”, with the aim of turning waste into a useful resource.
He said involving students in the cleanliness mission can create a long-term change in public behaviour and strengthen the cleanliness of tourist destinations across J&K.
Sharma linked the initiative with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, saying J&K must develop clean surroundings so that people visiting the region experience well-maintained cities, villages and tourist destinations.
