Nahargarh clean-up drive reveals scale of visitor littering

Jaipur: The sight of volunteers collecting heaps of discarded plastic, bottles and other waste from the historic kunds and baoris of Nahargarh on Saturday once again underlined the fact that some of Jaipur’s most treasured heritage assets needs continuous effort to save them from neglect and irresponsible visitor behaviour.

A two-day cleanliness campaign at Nahargarh Kund and adjoining baoris, organised jointly by the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) and the department of archaeology and museums, has drawn attention to the larger challenge of preserving Rajasthan’s cultural legacy.

The initiative brought together tourism stakeholders, heritage conservation groups and volunteers who participated in cleaning activities and awareness sessions on waste segregation and responsible tourism.

Organisers said a substantial quantity of waste was removed from the area, reflecting the extent of littering at sites that attract visitors for their historical and architectural significance.

While periodic clean-up campaigns help restore neglected locations, stakeholders pointed out that such efforts should not become a substitute for regular maintenance, stricter enforcement against littering and greater public accountability. The accumulation of waste at heritage structures suggests that awareness about responsible tourism remains limited despite repeated appeals.

Participants also promoted sustainable practices by avoiding single-use plastic and using reusable materials during the campaign.

Organisers said the drive was inspired by broader efforts towards water conservation and heritage preservation and aimed to encourage greater public participation in protecting historic sites.