SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government Monday said that a special focus is being laid on cleanliness, sanitation, and waste management during the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra this year.
The 43-day Amarnath Yatra will commence on June 30. Reports suggest that more than 3 lakh devotees has registered for Amarnath Yatra this yer, so far.
A senior government official said, “Pilgrims will have a great experience this time as several arrangements are being made under Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha for devotees for Amarnath Yatra.”
He added that the flow of devotees to pilgrims is going to be high this year. Accordingly, the government has made all the arrangements, whether food, accommodation, health services, or even sanitation and waste management.
An official said, “The government has put forth an adequate number of washrooms for devotees, locals, and employees who are there for the duty.”
And, to tackle waste management and sanitation, there are dozens of volunteers and interns at disposal who will provide a helping hand to the devotees during the 43-day Amarnath Yatra, he said.
He added, “Under the Swachh Bharat-Urban 2.0, several boys and girls have volunteered themselves in helping out waste management, handling plastic, awareness, and other stuff. And, we are happy to tell you that the first batch of such volunteers has arrived, which is over 2 dozen in number”.
“The officials have trained these interns and volunteers regarding waste management and sanitation and cleanliness,” he added.
Also, at the same time, the Municipal Committee Aishmuqam, Qazigund, and Ganderbal had called for an Internship for Amarnath Yatra. He added that each municipal committee had called for 10 interns for two months, from June 20 to August 20.
“The interns and volunteers will have the responsibility of public of public health, sanitation and solid Waste Management, monitoring of overall cleanliness and sanitation, ensuring segregation of waste at source and its subsequent collection and disposal”, he added.
They will also monitor langars, disseminate Swachhata messages, maintain data on the use of single-use plastic, take feedback from the Yatris and submit requisite periodic reports to the authorities”, the official said.
Wishing best of luck to the volunteers, Roopa Mishra, Joint Secretary & National Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Govt. of India in a tweet informed, “The first batch of interns of Swachh Bharat- Urban 2.0 step on the ground in J&K for Swachh Amarnath Yatra. These young volunteers will engage with the public for awareness generation regarding sanitation, waste handling, plastic substitution, etc. My best wishes to the young champs”.
