Under the directions of Deputy Commissioner Drass, Imteeaz Kacho, the District Administration on July 1 organised a cleanliness drive along the riverside at Masjid Gam, Drass, to promote environmental conservation and public awareness.

The drive was led and supervised by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Drass, Vishal Atri, with the active participation of officials from various government departments and local residents.

The initiative aimed to clean the riverside, remove accumulated waste and create awareness about the importance of maintaining clean water bodies and public spaces. Officials and volunteers worked together to collect and scientifically dispose of solid waste, contributing to the preservation of the area's natural beauty and ecological balance.

Deputy Commissioner Imteeaz Kacho underscored the importance of collective efforts and community participation for the effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. He stressed that public cooperation is essential to maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.

Addressing the participants, SDM Vishal Atri said that keeping rivers and public spaces clean is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to actively participate in such initiatives. He appealed to the public to refrain from littering, dispose of waste responsibly and support the District Administration's efforts to ensure a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

The Deputy Commissioner said similar cleanliness drives would continue to be organised across the district on a regular basis with the active involvement of government departments, students, stakeholders and the local community.

He also appreciated the efforts of SDM Vishal Atri for leading the campaign and commended all officials and local residents who participated in the cleanliness drive.