Three-day river conservation drive draws strong community participation

A three-day awareness and clean-up campaign aimed at restoring Kolkata’s historic Adi Ganga concluded on Sunday, bringing together volunteers, civic authorities, environmental advocates and local residents in a collective effort to promote river conservation and ecological awareness.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. 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 organisers, more than 230 volunteers participated in the initiative, 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 programme.The campaign also featured cultural and community engagement activities, including devotional music sessions and awareness programmes aimed at strengthening public involvement in conservation efforts. Alongside the river-cleaning initiative, a mangrove plantation drive was conducted in the Sundarbans region, contributing to broader environmental restoration efforts and promoting ecological sustainability.The concluding day saw the participation of state ministers and public representatives, who emphasised the need for sustained collaboration between government agencies, community organisations and citizens to revive the Adi Ganga and improve the surrounding environment. The programme ended with a traditional Ganga Aarti and prayer ceremony at Sadar Ghat, symbolising a shared commitment towards protecting the historic waterway and preserving Kolkata’s cultural and environmental heritage for future generations.