Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Dr. Piyush Singla, in the presence of, CEO, SMDA, Nagendra Singh Jamwal, today flagged off a fleet of paddle boats under preserving Mansar Lake campaign operated by environment activist, students and tourists which collected floating plastics, polythene and wrappers from the lake surface.

Deputy Commissioner also flagged off a ‘Lake Walk’ during which the participants conducted a sanitation drive all along the pathways around the lake. The event coincided with the Paryatan Parv – 2019 with the central theme of “150 years of celebrating the Mahatma” and World Wild Life Week celebrations.

It was informed that the Zero Pollution event under ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’ was based on the theme of zero pollution emission and emphasis on minimum carbon footprints. In order to encourage environment friendly practices, the participants were ferried in electric buses hired from JKSRTC.

The District Administration also established an Eco club in GHSS, Mansar which would not only spread environment awareness among the students and tourists but will also carry out periodic sanitation drive along with SMDA to preserve the pristine lake. On the occasion, a meeting of shopkeepers and other stake holders was also held.

The participants were also provided battery car rides by JK Wild Life Protection Department. The highlight of the event was that no plastic was used during the whole event. The plastic banners were replaced by wooden hoardings provided by the State Pollution Control Board. Wildlife Department also introduced dustbins made out bamboo. Under “Fit India Movement’, a bike rally including female riders were also part of the celebrations which emphasized on following road safety rules and carrying a message of ‘Beti Bacho Beti Padao’.

After the completion of sanitation drive, the participants along with the tourists enjoyed a scintillating cultural programme. Ram Ditta and Party enthralled the audience with the folk songs and dances. The event ended with a community lunch. The Dogra cuisine was served on leaf cups and plates (Doona and Pattals) with zero carbon footprints.

Additional District Development Commissioner, Ashok Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Gurvinderjeet Singh, Chief Planning Officer, Rajeev Bhushan,  Assistant Commissioner Development, Neelam Khajuria, District Information Officer, Er. Sajad Bashir Somberia, Tehsildar Majalta, Saqib Saleem, BDO Mansar, Pritam Lal, Range Officer, Wildlife Department, Sanjeev besides other senior officers, prominent citizens, Tourists, were present on the occasion.

Later, certificates of participations and mementos were distributed among the participants.