In a remarkable achievement, the village of Sadiwara in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has become completely plastic-free. The village, situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, has set an example for other communities by adopting innovative solutions to tackle the plastic menace.
The transformation began when a group of local youth formed a committee to address the issue of plastic waste in the village. They were concerned about the environmental impact of plastic waste on the village’s pristine surroundings and the health of its inhabitants.
The committee came up with an innovative solution to incentivize the villagers to collect and dispose of plastic waste properly.
The committee, headed by Farooq Ahmad Ganai, introduced a unique scheme called “Give Plastic and Take Gold,” which encouraged the villagers to exchange plastic waste for gold. Under the scheme, villagers could exchange one kilogram of plastic waste for one gram of gold.
The scheme was an instant hit, and villagers started collecting and disposing of plastic waste responsibly.
The success of the scheme led to a significant reduction in plastic waste in the village. The youth committee then took up the challenge of making the village completely plastic-free. They launched an awareness campaign to educate the villagers about the harmful effects of plastic and the benefits of using eco-friendly alternatives.
The committee encouraged the villagers to switch to cloth bags, metal containers, and other eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. They also organized workshops to teach the villagers how to make eco-friendly products from waste materials.
The efforts of the committee paid off, and the village became completely plastic-free within a year. The villagers’ active participation in the campaign was crucial to the success of the initiative.
They cooperated with the committee by segregating waste at source, composting organic waste, and using eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.
The transformation of Sadiwara village has attracted widespread attention and praise. The innovative “Give Plastic and Take Gold” scheme has been hailed as a model for other communities to emulate.
The scheme has not only helped in reducing plastic waste but also provided a source of income for the villagers.
The success of the scheme has also inspired other communities to adopt similar initiatives. The youth committee has been invited to other villages and towns in the district to share their experiences and ideas on how to tackle the plastic menace.
The initiative has also caught the attention of the government, and the village has been awarded the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” award for its efforts in keeping the village clean and free from plastic waste. The government has also announced a cash prize for the village for its exemplary work.
The transformation of Sadiwara village, with collective effort and innovative solutions, is a testament to the power of community-led initiatives and the importance of youth engagement in tackling social and environmental issues.
The success of the “Give Plastic and Take Gold” scheme has shown that even small communities can make a significant impact in the fight against plastic waste.