The Andaman and Nicobar Islands marked Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 with a blend of classroom learning and hands-on community action, combining environmental education with large-scale cleanliness drives. The programme highlighted both the ill effects of single-use plastics and the role of citizens in maintaining public hygiene.
At Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium in Sri Vijaya Puram, the Municipal Council, with support from the Pollution Control Committee and the Department of Science and Technology, organised a workshop on the dangers of single-use plastics. The event brought together 156 participants, including college students, teachers, municipal staff and revenue officials. Students from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Industrial Training Institute and Pondicherry University formed the core audience, reflecting the focus on youth leadership in sustainability.
Prof. Manju Nair of JNRM, a noted environmentalist, delivered the key address. She spoke on the harmful consequences of plastic pollution on human health, marine life and ecosystems, urging students to adopt sustainable habits and lead by example. Practical measures for reducing dependence on plastics and transitioning to eco-friendly alternatives were shared, underlining the importance of behavioural change.
The workshop also incorporated interactive sessions, reinforcing that combating plastic pollution requires both systemic measures and individual commitment. The event concluded with thanks extended to students, institutions and officials who made the programme possible, signalling the administration’s intent to keep the issue high on the public agenda.
Extending the theme from lecture halls to public spaces, a large-scale cleanliness drive was simultaneously carried out across three Gram Panchayats, Neil Kendra, Beodnabad and Govind Nagar. More than 150 participants, including Panchayat representatives, residents, school staff and students, joined hands to clean public areas, roads and community spaces. The drive aimed to instil collective responsibility for sanitation while teaching younger generations that cleanliness is a civic habit, not a one-time activity.
Organisers said the Panchayat drives were designed not only to clean specific areas but also to raise awareness of the importance of hygiene in daily life. By engaging schools and local families, the initiative highlighted the role of community participation in sustaining cleanliness. The message was that responsibility lies not just with civic bodies but with every citizen.
The Municipal Council also introduced a novel dimension by linking health and fitness to the Swachhata campaign. Safai Mitras, or sanitation workers, participated in kabaddi and football matches at Netaji Stadium under the banner “Swasthya Evam Swachhta.” The idea was to promote physical wellbeing while reinforcing the dignity of labour and the importance of cleanliness. These sporting events created a vibrant atmosphere and recognised the contributions of frontline workers.
Officials emphasised that the dual approach, raising awareness through education and mobilising communities through action, strengthens the Swachhata movement. The campaign drew attention to how single-use plastics continue to threaten fragile ecosystems of the Islands, particularly marine biodiversity, while also underscoring the social benefits of collective cleanliness.
Students who participated in both the workshop and the drives said that linking learning with practice gave them a better understanding of environmental responsibility. Teachers highlighted that such initiatives provide long-term benefits by shaping attitudes early.
As the campaign progresses, officials plan to sustain momentum by continuing educational outreach, supporting local bodies and encouraging more public participation. The Swachhata initiative in the Islands this year demonstrated that meaningful change requires both institutional support and active involvement of communities. Together, they form the backbone of a cleaner, healthier environment.
