Swachhata Pakhwada in Haryana

• 02 Jan 2025

Why in News? 

Recently, The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) conducted a series of cleanliness drives in Karnal district of Haryana.  

• It aimed to raise awareness about cleanliness and environmental protection while promoting a cleaner and greener India.  

 Key Points 

• Activities Conducted: 
  • Awareness Programmes: 
    • Students were educated on maintaining cleanliness at individual, community, and institutional levels. 
    • Training was provided on converting waste into wealth and safely disposing of waste. 
  • Cleanliness Drives: 
    • Staff cleaned institute premises and reviewed old records and non-functional equipment for disposal. 
    • Special plantation drives were organized. 
  • Campaigns and Awareness: 
    • Campaigns were held to discourage single-use plastics. 
    • Initiatives focused on recycling wastewater and promoting water harvesting for agriculture, horticulture, and kitchen gardens in residential colonies. 
  • Village Involvement: 
    • Cleanliness and sanitation drives were carried out in villages adopted under the “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” programme. 
    • Nukkad Nataks (street plays) involving local celebrities were performed to encourage community participation. 
• Celebrating Kisan Diwas: 
  • Scientists and students celebrated Kisan Diwas in Dancher village. 
  • Farmers were invited to interactive workshops focusing on practical solutions for cleanliness in agricultural practices. 

 The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)  

• It was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 
• It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. 
• It is headquartered at New Delhi. With 102 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world. 
• It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country. 

 Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav 

• The scheme was launched in 2015, to promote the direct interface of scientists with the farmers to hasten the “lab to land” process. 
• It envisages scientists to select villages as per their convenience and remain in touch with the selected villages and provide information to the farmers on technical and other related aspects of agriculture in a time frame through personal visits or on telephone. 
• They may function with the help of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA). 
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