Statewide Initiative Reaches Over 2 Lakh Citizens, Raising Awareness on Eliminating Single-Use Plastic
Gandhinagar, October 16, 2024: The Gujarat Urban Development and Urban Housing Development Department has successfully concluded the month-long Swachhta Hi Seva Abhiyan recently. The campaign which was held from September 17, 2024 to October 16, 2024, was organised with a view to raise awareness about waste segregation and eliminating single-use plastics among the people across the state.
Organised in line with the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban, the campaign reached about 2 lakh citizens across Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Gandhinagar Zones through this interpersonal communication activity of street play performances held in various parts of these cities. Throughout the campaign, street plays were performed in key urban zones, drawing significant participation from local communities.
Each street play performance vividly highlighted the harmful effects of single-use plastics on the environment. Such performances left a lasting impression on the audience, raising awareness about how single-use plastics lead to environmental degradation and pose a serious threat to ecosystems.
In Ahmedabad Zone, a total of 325 street plays were held, with 200 performances across 48 wards under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and 125 shows in 25 Nagarpalikas including Bavla, Dholka, Viramgam, Dhandhuka, Sanand and Bareja in the Ahmedabad Zone. Each play attracted audiences of some 200-250 people from local communities, communicating the critical message of waste management and the dangers of single-use plastics.
Similarly, Vadodara Zone saw 210 street play performances, including 80 shows in 19 wards under the Vadodara Municipal Corporation and 130 performances across 26 Nagarpalikas in the Vadodara Zone. Each play drew between 100 to 150 participants, helping spread awareness about the importance of segregating wet and dry waste. Performances were held in Nagarpalikas of Anand, Borsad, Khambhat, Petlad, Karamsad, Umreth, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anklav, Ode, Sojitra, Boriavi, Dahod, Zalod, Devgadh Baria, Balasinor, Lunawada, Santrampur, Godhra, Halol, Kalol, Shehra, Chhota Udaipur, Dabhoi, Karjan, Padra, Vadodara and Savli.
In Surat, 245 street plays were conducted, with 150 shows in 30 wards under the Surat Municipal Corporation and 95 shows in 19 Nagarpalikas within the Surat Zone. The performances left an impression on some 150-200 people per show, effectively communicating the environmental hazards posed by single-use plastics. Some of the Nagarpalikas wherein street plays are being performed include Bharuch, Ankleshwar, Jambusar, Amod, Rajpipla, Navsari, Bilimora, Vijalpor, Gandevi, Bardoli, Kanakpur-Kansad, Sachin, Kadodara, Tarasadi, Mandvi, Vyara, Songadh, Valsad, Vapi, Pardi, Dharampur and Umargam.
Gandhinagar concluded the campaign with 195 plays, including 50 shows in 11 wards under the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation and 145 performances across 29 Nagarpalikas in the Gandhinagar Zone. Each play attracted around 150 to 200 individuals, raising awareness about the need for a plastic-free and sustainable future.
The initiative is aligned with the state government’s commitment to ban single-use plastics and is aimed at inspiring collective action towards ‘Nirmal Gujarat 2.0’ – the vision for a cleaner and greener Gujarat. The Urban Development and Urban Housing Development Department of the Government of Gujarat encourages all citizens to join this movement and actively contribute to achieving the vision of a clean, plastic-free Gujarat.
