A three-day awareness and clean-up campaign aimed at restoring Kolkata's historic Adi Ganga concluded on Sunday, uniting volunteers, civic authorities, environmental advocates, and local residents in a collective effort to promote river conservation and ecological awareness.
Campaign Highlights
Held at Sadar Ghat near the Kalighat Temple, the initiative focused on highlighting the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of the Adi Ganga while encouraging greater public participation in its preservation. The campaign began on World Environment Day with a large-scale cleanliness drive attended by civic officials and community representatives.
Volunteer Efforts
Over the next three days, volunteers carried out riverbank cleaning activities, engaged with local residents on responsible waste disposal practices, and promoted awareness about reducing pollution and protecting water bodies. According to organizers, more than 230 volunteers participated, helping remove over 200 kilograms of waste from the riverbanks. More than 50 dustbins were distributed to nearby temples to encourage proper disposal of flowers and ritual offerings, while over 100 saplings were planted and distributed as part of the environmental outreach program.
Cultural and Community Engagement
The campaign also featured cultural and community engagement activities, including devotional music sessions and awareness programs aimed at strengthening public involvement in conservation efforts. Additionally, a mangrove plantation drive was conducted in the Sundarbans region, contributing to broader environmental restoration and promoting ecological sustainability.
Concluding Ceremony
The concluding day saw the participation of state ministers and public representatives, who emphasized the need for sustained collaboration between government agencies, community organizations, and citizens to revive the Adi Ganga and improve the surrounding environment. The program ended with a traditional Ganga Aarti and prayer ceremony at Sadar Ghat, symbolizing a shared commitment to protecting the historic waterway and preserving Kolkata's cultural and environmental heritage for future generations.
