Uluberia, June 3, 2025:
In a significant step towards promoting environmental consciousness and sustainable waste management, a Mass Awareness Drive was organized today at Katakhali Ferry Ghat and Kanjiakhali Ferry Ghat under Heerapur Gram Panchayat, Uluberia-I Block. The centerpiece of this drive was a street drama, creatively designed to highlight the urgent issue of river pollution abatement and liquid waste management, with a focus on the River Ganga.
The event was jointly organized by the Uluberia-I Block Administration in collaboration with the District Ganga Committee, Howrah, under the aegis of the West Bengal State Programme Management Group (WBSPMG).
Objectives of the Program
The awareness drive aimed to:
Educate the public on the adverse effects of liquid waste disposal into natural water bodies, particularly the River Ganga.
Promote best practices for community-level liquid waste management.
Encourage behavioral change through cultural engagement.
Foster a sense of collective responsibility among stakeholders and residents in river-adjacent areas.
Key Dignitaries Present
The event was attended and supported by several important officials and community leaders, including:
Trianshu Raha, Communication and Public Outreach Coordinator, WBSPMG
H.M. Riajul Hoque, Block Development Officer, Uluberia-I Block
Lipika Roy, Joint BDO, Uluberia-I Block
Uttam Maity, Prodhan, Heerapur Gram Panchayat
Shambhu Lal Chowdhury, District Official, District Ganga Committee, Howrah
All Village Resource Persons (VRPs) working on sanitation and water-related initiatives
Active participation from multiple Self-Help Group (SHG) members
Community Participation and Impact
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from approximately 200 local residents, including schoolchildren, SHG women, and elderly citizens, reflecting strong grassroots engagement. The street drama served as a vibrant, relatable medium to convey complex environmental messages in a way that resonated with rural audiences.
The play depicted scenarios of irresponsible waste disposal, its harmful consequences on health and biodiversity, and the simple, actionable steps that every individual and household can adopt to protect the river. It also illustrated the interconnectedness between clean rivers, public health, and community well-being.
Context: The River Ganga and Uluberia-I Block
The River Ganga, revered and ecologically vital, borders three Gram Panchayats within Uluberia-I Block:
1. Heerapur
2. Kalingar
3. Dhulasimla
These areas are particularly vulnerable to pollution due to their direct contact with the river and human activities around the ghats. Ensuring cleanliness and sustainable management of wastewater in these regions is a top priority for the district and block administration.
Statements from Officials
BDO H.M. Riajul Hoque addressed the gathering, stating:
> “The River Ganga is not only a sacred symbol but also a critical natural resource. Protecting it from pollution is not just a government initiative, but a moral and civic duty of each one of us. Through such awareness drives, we aim to build a lasting environmental culture in our communities.”
Trianshu Raha, representing WBSPMG, emphasized the role of public outreach:
> “Street dramas and grassroots mobilization are key components of our awareness strategy. We believe that when communities understand the issue in their own language and context, change becomes possible.”
Conclusion and Call to Action
The program concluded with a public pledge, where attendees vowed to adopt hygienic practices, avoid direct disposal of waste into the river, and act as responsible guardians of their environment.
This initiative marked a strong step forward in building a pollution-free and ecologically healthy Ganga, reminding us all that “Cleanliness is a shared responsibility.”
Let us all join hands to keep the River Ganga clean and sacred—for ourselves, and for future generations.