Amreli, Sep 20 || The volunteers of the ‘Ambaji Padyatra’ (Clean Environment Campaign) on Friday claimed to have collected 73 tons of waste along the pilgrimages routes since September 12.
The annual Bhadarvi Poonam fair at Ambaji in Amreli district attracts millions of devotees. This year, more than 3.4 million pilgrims walked across three different routes to seek blessings from Goddess Ambaji.
The clean-up campaign, initiated by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) in partnership with ‘Ambaji Padyatra’ (Clean Environment Campaign) ensured that the routes remained litter-free.
The volunteers said that as part of the ongoing cleanliness drive, they have collected more than 73 tons of waste from pilgrimage routes since the beginning of the campaign.
The initiative, which focuses on ensuring a clean and eco-friendly environment for pilgrims, will continue waste collection efforts until September 30, 2024.
An estimated 700 tons of waste are expected to be processed scientifically by the end of the drive.
The campaign, supported by the Gujarat Dyestuff Manufacturers Association, was officially launched on September 12 by Forest and Environment Minister Mulu Bera and State Minister Mukesh Patel.