Dehradun, October 1, 2024 – In a remarkable first, Dehradun has become a shining example for other cities across the Himalayas and beyond, taking big steps in the fight against plastic pollution.
On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti and Swachh Bharat Diwas, the city came alive with a large-scale anti-plastic campaign organized by the SDC Foundation, in partnership with 40 schools.
The event was part of the larger "Swachhata Hi Seva - Swabhav Swachhata and Sanskaar Swachhata" initiative, aimed at not just cleaning up the city but also instilling cleanliness as a core value in society.
Under this collective mission, Dehradun saw students, teachers, and community members unite to collect single-use plastic waste for recycling.
Awareness programs held across various locations—schools, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and institutions—focused on encouraging plastic alternatives and responsible waste management.
The highlight of the campaign was the pledge taken by participants to keep their surroundings clean, underscoring the message that cleanliness is a shared responsibility.
The force behind this inspiring movement is the SDC Foundation, an organization deeply invested in environmental conservation, waste management, and sustainable urbanization in Uttarakhand.
Over the last 11 months, the foundation has already established 210 "Plastic Banks" across Dehradun, collecting and managing plastic waste in collaboration with schools, hostels, universities, and even small businesses like Maggi Points on popular routes like Dehradun-Kimadi-Mussoorie.
Dinesh Semwal, from SDC Foundation, shared the incredible progress made so far: “Our Plastic Bank Project has impacted over 80,000 individuals in Dehradun, and we’re not stopping here".
"We aim to set up 300 Plastic Banks, involving 100,000 students and local residents in managing plastic waste.”
The Foundation’s Plastic Bank initiative not only tackles the plastic menace but also turns waste management into a people’s movement.
Praveen Upreti of SDC Foundation reminded everyone, "Cleanliness is not just an individual task—it’s the result of collective effort. If we all work together, we can keep our cities and environment safe from the harmful effects of plastic."
With participation from schools like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Guru Nanak Public School, Vidya Sthal Children’s Modern Academy, and many more, this campaign is fast becoming an anti-plastic revolution.
The enthusiasm from students, teachers, and local residents has turned this into a community-driven movement, setting a precedent for other cities across India to follow.
As Dehradun takes the lead, the hope is that more cities in the Himalayas—and beyond—will be inspired to tackle plastic pollution with the same energy and commitment.
The message from Dehradun is clear: plastic waste is not just a problem; it’s a challenge we can overcome, together.
With efforts like this, the Swachh Bharat Mission is evolving from a government-led initiative into a powerful social movement, proving that change truly begins at the grassroots.
