New Delhi: The National Zoological Park (NZP) in New Delhi has launched Swachhata Pakhwada 2026, a 15-day cleanliness and environmental awareness campaign aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyles, environmental stewardship, and public participation in conservation efforts. The programme began on June 1 and will continue until June 15, aligning with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
The initiative was inaugurated with a mass Swachhata Pledge administered to participants, followed by an orientation session outlining the activities planned during the fortnight.
Students Participate in Environmental Awareness Activities
As part of the opening day events, the zoo organised a painting and poster making competition on the theme “Pollution among National Parks and Sanctuaries Protected Areas.” The competition encouraged students to creatively express their concerns about environmental pollution and suggest solutions.
A total of 44 students representing 23 schools participated in the event, highlighting growing awareness among young people about environmental conservation and sustainable living.
Wide Range of Programmes Planned During the Fortnight
The National Zoological Park has scheduled several educational, awareness, and participatory activities for students, visitors, staff members, and stakeholders throughout the campaign.
Planned activities include street plays focusing on cleanliness and hygiene, expert sessions on butterflies, moths, and fireflies, plogging drives that combine walking with litter collection, and clay modelling competitions centred on wildlife and birds.
Visitors will also have opportunities to engage in doodle campaigns, environmental awareness interactions, guided zoo tours, and screenings of educational videos related to Mission LiFE and sustainable practices.
World Environment Day Celebrations to Highlight Conservation
A major highlight of the campaign will be the celebration of World Environment Day on June 5, 2026. The zoo will organise a mass cleanliness pledge involving staff across all sections along with a large scale plantation drive under the national campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.”
As part of the initiative, 100 trees will be planted within animal enclosures and other designated areas of the zoo. Comprehensive cleanliness drives will also be conducted to promote environmental conservation and responsible waste management.
Focus on Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Practices
The programme also includes cleaning campaigns at ponds and wetlands within the zoo premises to support ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation. Additional activities such as essay writing competitions, environmental quizzes, Mission LiFE awareness sessions, and exhibitions showcasing outcomes of the campaign will further engage participants.
The zoo administration will also undertake the segregation of obsolete and unserviceable materials for auction as part of its waste management and resource optimisation efforts.
Encouraging Behavioural Change for a Greener Future
According to zoo officials, the primary objective of Swachhata Pakhwada is to encourage behavioural changes that lead to cleaner surroundings, reduced waste generation, improved sanitation practices, and environmentally responsible lifestyles.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Director of the National Zoological Park emphasised that cleanliness and conservation are closely linked and stressed that every citizen has a responsibility to protect natural resources for future generations.
The National Zoological Park has invited students, visitors, and stakeholders to actively participate in the fortnight long programme and contribute towards building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.