The Department of Agricultural Research and Education - Indian Council of Agricultural Research (DARE-ICAR) has been conducting extensive cleanliness campaigns across its institutes nationwide as part of promoting Swachhata and sustainable practices. The campaigns involved both outdoor and indoor cleaning activities in neighborhood areas surrounding ICAR campuses, with participation from institute officials and the broader community.
The initiative focused on propagating the values of waste-to-wealth conversion, adopting citizen-centric approaches, and implementing environment-friendly practices. Specific activities included Waste to Art projects, Kabaad Se Jugaad (innovation from waste), reuse and recycling drives, plastic-free initiatives, and creative utilization of waste materials. The campaign emphasized converting waste into useful and aesthetically meaningful products while promoting awareness about responsible waste management.
Substantial cleaning efforts were documented through before-and-after photographs from multiple ICAR institutions including KVK Trivandrum, ICAR-ATARI Bengaluru, ICAR-ATARI Jodhpur, ICAR-IIWM Bhubaneshwar, ICAR-IIFSR Modipuram Meerut, and ICAR-CIWA Bhubaneswar. The cleanup activities specifically targeted non-degradable plastic waste, garbage, and unwanted weeds, resulting in improved cleanliness and overall appearance of the campuses. Participants were sensitized about the importance of maintaining clean and plastic-free campuses and encouraged to contribute toward sustainable cleanliness practices.