EARTH NEWS SERVICE Katra, Dec 16 |15: A 2-day Swachh Trikuta Parvat Abhiyaan organised by the International Volunteer Foundation (IVF), Jammu in collaboration with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for enlarging awareness about the conservation of environment and ecology of the Trikuta Hills commenced from today. A large number of volunteers of IVF and the students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Kakryal and Government Higher Secondary School, Katra are participating in it. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, flagged off the participants of the Swachh Trikuta Parvat Abhiyaan at a function held at Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra. The participants of the Abhiyaan will enlarge the awareness among all the pilgrims, shopkeepers and the public at large about the crucial need for conservation of environment and ecology of the Trikuta Hills. Carrying banners and placards in their hands with slogans like ‘help us to keep Trikuta Hills clean, green and plastic free’ and ‘use dustbins’, they shall conduct a tour from Katra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji. Speaking on the occasion, the CEO of the Shrine Board complimented the efforts of the IVF for enlarging awareness about the cleanliness and ensuring sanitation in and around Katra and conservation of environment and ecology of Trikuta Hills. A number of Sewage Treatment Plants have been installed for waste water treatment at various locations on the track, in the Bhawan area and at different complexes of the Board, while this facility is being further expanded. Similarly, rain water harvesting is being promoted in various buildings of the Board and till date this capacity has gone upto 6.50 lakh litres, while efforts are continuing to increase it further by installing similar facilities in all the complexes of the Board. Kiran Kumar Sharma, Chairman, IVF, speaking on the occasion said that this is the 4th edition of ‘Save the Trikuta Mountains Awareness Campaign Series’ organised by the IVF. He gave details of the aims and objectives of organising the awareness campaign and the organisations who are participating in this initiative.
