SHIMLA- In a state-wide clean-Himachal and BeatPlasticPollution drive to promote healthy environment, a Community Clean-up Drive Removed 139 Tonnes of Garbage involving 4748 institutions from across Himachal Pradesh. The drive has sensitized the stakeholders, red-flagging a dire need for a clean and healthy environment on World Environment Day.
It was HP State Legal Services Authority(HPSLSA), which spearheaded the drive across the state, while government remaons a fence sitter.
HPSLSA organized a special event involving representatives from various organizations and the general public to observe WorldEnvironmentDay.
During a virtual interaction, Shri Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Judge of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Executive Chairperson, HPSLSA, who had launched the drive engaged with over 7,000 participants from nearly 200 locations across the state.
The drive saw the active participation of representatives from various organizations, along with the general public that clean up traditional baudis and rivers and khads, roadsides and water sources across the state, informed Prem Pal Ranta, member secretary, HPSLA, who is also a District and Sessions Judge.
As many as 8,000 Gram Panchayats, Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, Anganwari Workers, NGOs, Social Workers, and Volunteers worked together to raise legal awareness about the importance of a clean and healthy environment in Himachal Pradesh.
Over 29 tonnes of garbage were cleared from 2,504 hotspots in rural areas that speak volumes for the urgency of tackling the cleanliness issue.
This initiative followed the first phase of the Cleanliness Drive, which took place from May 18 to May 31, 2023.
During this phase, 110 tonnes of garbage were removed from 504 hotspots in 61 Urban/Semi-Urban Bodies.
Shri Justice Chauhan highlighted this year's World Environment Day theme- #BeatPlasticPollution.
He stressed the crucial need to protect the environment and its resources, especially in the wake of the pandemic, which has underscored the significance of a safe and clean environment.
Executive Chairperson urged individuals to take small yet impactful steps, such as reducing plastic usage, planting trees, maintaining cleanliness, proper waste disposal, recycling, water conservation, and minimizing wood consumption, thereby increasing forest cover.
He acknowledged the active involvement of PRIs, SHGs, NGOs, and Voluntary Organizations in various legal services activities, indicating the trust and support of the public towards these initiatives.
The Community Clean-up Drive encompassed diverse activities like cleaning community centers, streets, temples, and water resources, making a substantial impact on the environment.
The magnitude of the drive is understandable as over 4,748 institutions participated in this drive, setting a new record for the HPSLSA.
This collective effort showcases the power of unity and determination in preserving and safeguarding the environment for a brighter future of the present and coming generation. 
Besides, HPSLA drive personnel from territorial army also cleaned the Dhalli-Charrabra-Kufri stretch of the highway which was littered with trash and junk dumped by the tourists and road side vendors who care damn to collect the garbage and dispose it off the designated spots.
But Shimla Municipal Corporation and HP Tourism department have not even bothered to keep dust bins at tourist places on this route.
Even as world environment day ends as ritual, Much will depend on how these organisations put in place a mechanism to keep drive going and sustainable.
