SHILLONG: The office of the District Swachh Bharat Mission, South West Khasi Hills(SWKH) celebrated Swacch Bharat Diwas to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and also marked the 4th year of the institution of Swachh Bharat Mission.
The 2-week long Swachhata Hi Seva campaign was concluded at Mawkyrwat which saw wide participation of village and water sanitation Committees, schools, Swachhagrahis or clean volunteers, various youth organisations and government departments.
The District Swachh Bharat Mission also achieved open defecation free status on this day. The “Run for Clean & Green South West Khasi Hills District” was graced by Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar. He also appreciated the efforts of the DSMB to ensure provision of community latrines in all public areas and urged upon the gathering to inculcate sanitary habits and for youths to look at livelihood options through waste collection and recycling of plastic waste.
The event also had presentations on “Waste to Wealth” and “Conservation of Wahsala Stream”, a major water source in the district headquarters which is a tributary of the Rilang river.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo stated that it was essential that developmental activities and land use do not affect the rivers of the district and the natural eco-system.
She highlighted the need to conserve the Wahsala stream, a lifeline of Mawkyrwat which passes though nine villages and is very close to human settlements. The DC noted that conservation of the river requires concerted effort, will and far-sightedness of stakeholders in both government and civil society.