The Voice of Environment (A Scientific and Environmental Research Organisation) is actively striving to achieve the goals set by the Mission Clean Green Assam project. The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) recently conducted a cleanliness campaign and awareness programme at Nabagraha Temple, a historic temple situated on Chitrachal Pahar (Navagraha Pahar) in Guwahati, Assam.
In line with the objective of promoting a clean and aesthetically pleasing city of Guwahati, the VoE is persistently carrying forward its earlier efforts to establish environmentally friendly, hygienic, and plastic-free iconic and heritage sites in the city, including Kamakhya Temple, Basistha Temple, Umananda Temple, and Paltan Bazar.
The team is also working to transform the temple premises into a prominent, pristine, environmentally sustainable, and devoid of plastic (SUP) tourist attraction. This initiative will have a direct and indirect impact on generating livelihoods, improving health and hygiene, and enhancing aesthetic appeal. Moreover, VoE is actively and spontaneously working to create widespread awareness for these renowned historic places. Additionally, this action aids in the conservation of the long-term viability and diverse range of species in these areas, thereby serving as an exemplar of sustainability across the nation.
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has implemented a proactive measure to promote and raise public awareness about the cleanliness of the temple premises and the adjacent surroundings.
Senior officials from GMC led the drive, which included the Deputy Commissioner of GMC, Assistant Commissioners from relevant divisions, GMC Councillor of Ward No. 34, the Executive Engineer, Assistant Engineers, JTO/JE, and other GMC staff. Environmentalist Moharana Choudhury, Bhaskar Hazarika, Anjana Gogoi, and other members of the VoE organisation collaborated as a team.
The entire group gathered at the temple grounds in the morning to commence the journey. GMC leaders presented an introductory statement, highlighting the crucial and meaningful nature of the activities. The cleanliness initiative commenced at the central temple grounds following a brief discussion with the temple priests at Nabagraha Temple. The team subsequently conducted a systematic exploration of the neighbouring areas and the route leading to the Nabagraha Temple. Following this, the GMC administrators organized a brief public meeting on the cleanliness issue, to which devotees, visitors, shops, vendors, local residents, and the GMC staff participated.
VoE is actively working to cultivate a collective awareness among citizens to adopt sustainable behaviours as a countermeasure to the prevalent habit of routinely using plastic products. This initiative also aims to convey a powerful message about the importance of eco-friendliness and cleanliness, both locally and globally.
