CLEANLINESS DRIVE CAMPAIGN
“Inspired By Nature. For Climate. For Our Future”. Thus reads the theme for the world environment day 2026. More than five decades later, the day continues to stand as a reminder of the first time the human environment and its vulnerabilities were acknowledged, measures were discussed and a voice was raised for the environment globally. 5th June marks the first day of the Stockholm Conference, the first global summit to place environmental issues at the forefront of international diplomacy.
On this occasion, Wings for Dreams set out to give back to our city and its environment by taking up the initiative to organize a cleanliness drive at Baner Hills near Pashan. Why the specific location? Baner Hills, located near Pashan, is one of Pune’s most cherished natural spaces. The hills are home to diverse flora and fauna and provide an important green cover to the city’s rapidly expanding urban landscape. The site is also home to the Tukai Mata Mandir which attracts visitors, trekkers and devotees throughout the year. Preserving the cleanliness of this area is therefore not only important for environmental conservation but also for maintaining the sanctity and beauty of a place enjoyed by the community.
The event started early at 6 am and would go on for the next 3 hours. Volunteers and NGO workers gathered at the foot of the hill, ready with their equipment. After a short introductory speech by the campaign manager Mr. Ajay Mahanavar and the NGO volunteers, the team spread out to different spots on the hill that needed immediate cleaning and waste removal.
The spot we cleaned lies among several newly constructed buildings where development had recently taken place. A majority of the waste collected consisted of several discarded cement bags, plastic sheets and other pieces one would generally find around developing sites. This portrays a lack of responsibility on part of the contractors and construction companies to properly dispose of the bio hazardous materials.
Another major component of the waste collected was plastic wrappers, packets, bottles and other litter left behind by visitors. While many people come to Baner Hills to enjoy its scenic views and peaceful atmosphere, some fail to recognize the importance of keeping the area clean. Carelessly discarding waste not only harms the local environment but also diminishes the experience for others who visit the site. This makes cleanliness efforts all the more important, particularly considering the natural beauty of the hills and the presence of the Tukai Mata Mandir, a place of significance for many residents and visitors.
By the time we were done, we had collected several bags of waste from across the hill. The task which lasted only a few hours may have seemed small however, every piece of litter removed contributed towards preserving one of Pune’s valuable natural spaces. The collective efforts of the volunteers reflected the importance of protecting the environment and that it is not limited to a single day of observance but requires consistent effort and responsibility from all members of the community.
Author: Palak Singh (a volunteer working with Wings for Dreams)