The  campaign to clean the Ganga —Ganga Cleaning Drive-meant to lift the  idols being immersed in the river has completed its fifth round at Pantdeep parking and nearby ghats in Haridwar under the banner of Ganga Aahawan Akhara on Wednesday. Notably, several such initiatives have been taken in the past by numerous organisations to free the river from garbage, debris and litters that clog its flow.

The drive involves lifting of idols immersed in the river by devotees coming from across the country. During the drive, initiative is also being taken to educate the communities living in the vicinity of the river about the effects of pollution on the them and the need to keep it clean to maintain ecological balance. Several toxic items have been removed from the river during the cleansing process. Till now, over 500 idols have been removed from the Ganga from different ghats located in Haridwar.

Dinesh Joshi, convener the drive, said that this is not just a cleaning and awareness drive but rather an effort to motivate people to take proactive initiatives at individual levels to ensure a better future for the river and for the communities being affected by such contamination.  “The people living nearby are being informed about the sacredness of the river and the importance of environment for healthy living. When aware, they can play a better role to keep the river clean and to ensure a better tomorrow for all,” he added.

 A follower of Ganga Aahawan Akhara JP Badoni said they would write to the district administration soon to make further arrangements to beautify the ghats and to ensure continuous flow of Ganga in the holy city by deploying adequate police personnel and setting up warning boards in the vicinity of the  river. He further said that on the maiden day of thedrive  hardly a dozen gathered and took part in the drive. “Now more than two dozen people volunteered for the cause,” he said, adding that the turn-up should have been far better , given the heritage aspect attached to    Ganga and Haridwar.