ICAR undertakes nearly 4,000 cleanliness drives under Swachhata Special Campaign 6.0

New Delhi: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has organised nearly 4,000 cleanliness campaigns under the Swachhata Special Campaign 6.0. The drives have cleared about 1.3 lakh square feet of space. They have also generated around ₹10 lakh in revenue through the disposal of electronic and non-electronic scrap. Efforts are also under way to clear pending matters.

ICAR, along with its 114 institutes, Regional Centres, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), is taking part in the month-long campaign. It runs from October 2 to 31, 2026. DARE/ICAR launched the campaign on October 2 with cleanliness drives across its establishments nationwide. Officials of ICAR Headquarters joined the drive at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), Pusa, New Delhi. They also paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary.

The initiative reflects a collective commitment to cleaner workplaces and greater public participation. It also aims to build a culture of sustained cleanliness.

Swachhata Special Campaign activities across ICAR

The activities include cleanliness drives and Shramdaan in institutional premises, villages, roads and public spaces. ICAR has also held Special Gram Sabhas, Swachhata Sabhas and awareness programmes on sanitation, hygiene and waste management. Other activities include plogging, litter removal and the distribution and placement of dustbins.

Institutes have also planted trees and greened Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs), including under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative. They have recognised Safai Mitras, sanitation workers and volunteers. They have beautified cleaned spaces with before-and-after documentation. Sustainable practices include vermicomposting of water hyacinth and the review and weeding out of old files for proper disposal and records management.

The campaign has strengthened community participation and collective responsibility for cleanliness. It has improved selected institutional and public spaces, documented through before-and-after photographs. It has also raised awareness of responsible waste disposal. The campaign linked cleanliness with environmental sustainability through plantation and greening of cleaned areas.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan felicitates Safai Mitras

At ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR–CCARI), Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a Shramik Samman programme. He felicitated the institute’s Safai Mitras with shawls, bouquets and gifts. The event honoured their dedicated service in keeping the campus clean and hygienic throughout the year.

At ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, the campaign observed Swachh Bharat Diwas on October 2, 2026. The theme was “Swachhta Mein Sahbhag – Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”. Secretary (DARE) and ICAR Director General Dr Mangi Lal Jat appreciated the drive. He called for making Swachhata a year-round activity, with team-based cleanliness programmes.

Jat said cleanliness and a better workplace contribute to employees’ well-being and support the advancement of science. He highlighted the importance of team building and a positive workplace for institutional functioning and mental well-being. He also stressed nurturing students for their holistic development. Prizes went to winners of the painting competition organised by the Post Graduate School Students’ Union during the Swachhata Abhiyaan.

Institutes focus on waste reuse and scrap disposal

ICAR institutes have promoted the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. They have run Waste to Art activities, plastic-free initiatives and creative use of waste materials. Teams collected and removed non-degradable plastic waste, garbage and unwanted weeds from premises. Participants were also made aware of the importance of a clean, plastic-free campus.

At ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA), Hyderabad, the drive covers cleaning farm surroundings and removing unwanted vegetation. Teams are also collecting litter and cleaning internal pathways, open spaces and common areas. The institute is also working on protection against harmful insects for people visiting or working in the fields.

At ICAR-CCARI in Goa, teams identified scrap in guest houses and field units to minimise pendency. The scrap included 70 kg of metal items, 200 kg of MCB panels, 100 kg of fencing wire and 20 kg of plastic items. These items were catalogued for disposal under the approved mechanism. At ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, the campaign theme of electronic waste led staff to collect and segregate such items. They will dispose of them to authorised recyclers, refurbishers and developers to earn maximum revenue.

At ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur, staff collected laboratory waste from various divisions and sections. They kept it in a secure location for safe disposal and auction.

Livestock waste managed at ICAR-CIARI

At ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram, staff cleaned dry leaves, debris and unwanted vegetation from the roof of the Animal Feed Processing Unit. This ensures proper drainage and regular maintenance of infrastructure.

The institute also carried out biological waste management in its cattle, buffalo, goat and pig units, covering 213 animals. These comprise 22 cattle, 14 buffaloes, 105 goats and 72 pigs. Staff cleaned the sheds with a high-pressure jet washer and reused the wastewater to irrigate fodder plots. They also used livestock urine for fodder irrigation. Animal dung went to the vermicompost unit for conversion into organic manure.

The institute said these steps reduce indiscriminate waste disposal and conserve water and nutrients. They also support sustainable livestock farming and fodder production.

Other institutes took part as well. ICAR–Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute, Motihari, Bihar, cleaned its banana plantation rows and adjoining green spaces. ICAR-IIFSR, Modipuram, Meerut, collected dry garden waste and palm fronds from its park and surroundings. ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, and ICAR-National Meat Research Institute, Hyderabad, also took part.

ICAR Headquarters has issued press releases on the campaign’s activities. Institutes have publicised their work through local print media, banners and other channels. The campaign is also being shared on Facebook, X and Instagram to reach digitally engaged audiences and the younger generation.