MoEFCC Guwahati organises cleanliness drive under Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Sub-Office Guwahati, organised a two-day programme on October 1 and 2 under the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (SHS) 2026 campaign. The programme included a cleanliness drive at Khamrenga Beel, environmental awareness activities and a roadside plantation programme near Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati.
The activities were undertaken by officers and staff of MoEF&CC, Sub-Office Guwahati, along with staff members of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), with a focus on cleanliness, responsible waste management, wetland conservation and environmental awareness.
On the first day, a cleanliness drive was organised at Khamrenga Beel, an ecologically significant wetland in the Guwahati landscape associated with Aamchang Wildlife Sanctuary. Prior to the cleanliness drive, Dr. Hemen Hazarika, Scientist E, MoEF&CC, sensitised the participants on the importance of wetland conservation and highlighted the role of wetlands as significant natural carbon sinks that contribute to long-term carbon sequestration and climate regulation. He stressed the need to keep wetlands free from waste, particularly plastic waste and create greater awareness among people for their preservation and restoration. Dr. T. James Singh, Research Officer, MoEF&CC, highlighted the important role of wetlands in supporting biodiversity, particularly birds, fish and other aquatic and terrestrial fauna and emphasised the need to prevent habitat degradation and indiscriminate dumping of waste in and around wetland areas. Dr. Diana Ethel Amonge, Consultant, MoEF&CC, spoke about the range of ecosystem services provided by wetlands, including water retention, groundwater recharge, carbon storage and flood moderation, besides providing important habitats for local biodiversity. Agatha Ch. Momin, Wildlife Biologist, NTCA, emphasised the importance of individual and collective responsibility in maintaining clean and healthy wetlands and encouraged the participants to adopt responsible waste-disposal practices and promote greater environmental awareness in the community.
The sensitisation session was followed by a cleanliness drive at Khamrenga Beel, in which the officers and staff actively participated.
On the second day, a roadside plantation programme was conducted along National Highway 27 near Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati. Legerstromia speciosa (Ajar) saplings were planted in the vacant spaces along the median row to enhance greenery and contribute to a cleaner environment. The officers and staff also undertook a cleanliness drive at the office premises, promoting cleanliness and responsible environmental practices at the workplace.
The programme highlighted the importance of collective participation in maintaining clean surroundings, protecting wetlands and promoting environmental responsibility.