Guwahati citizens pick purpose over picnics, choose to clean Dighalipukhuri on weekend

Guwahati: On the first Sunday of the New Year, while many people were busy planning picnics, a group of committed citizens chose to spend their time cleaning the historic Dighalipukhuri Park in Guwahati.What began as a modest effort in late 2024 has now grown into a community-driven movement. The citizens say their initiative has inspired morning walkers and visitors to join and support the cause.Every Sunday, around 50 volunteers gather at the park to take their mission forward. So far, they have removed more than 1,700 kg of garbage from the premises.“It is a different kind of fun. It is adding up to something meaningful for the society. While picnics are fun, this is a sort of gatherings serve a social purpose,” said Khanin Baruah, a citizen, who is part of the cleanup drive.“The park had suffered years of neglect and had turned into a dumping ground, with plastic bottles, food wrappers, and even sanitary waste strewn around. Even now, during renovation, problems persist as labourers carelessly dispose of cement bags and spit gutka on plants. Earlier, there was no proper waste management, as employees used to burn the garbage. It is important for us to maintain cleanliness because it is the citizens who use the park,” said Milin Dutta, an active member of the cleanup drive.By 7:30am or 8:00 am, residents from diverse backgrounds — including students, office-goers, retirees, and even a few families — assemble at the park. Volunteers not only clean but also promote waste segregation. They organise interactive sessions for children, offering live demonstrations and practical lessons on separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. Through these activities, they hope to instil environmental awareness in the younger generation.“Apart from the cleanup drives, we are also conducting a tree census to track the park’s tree population and identify areas for new plantings. By maintaining detailed records, we aim to preserve the park’s greenery and encourage citizens to take responsibility for protecting the environment,” Dutta added.The residents have appealed to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority, and the tourism department to support the initiative. They emphasised that collaboration with these authorities would help provide proper infrastructure, waste management facilities, and maintenance support, ensuring the park remains clean, green, and accessible to all.