CIFRI Awards
River Ganga, Farakka, Murshidabad, West Bengal
\ On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, organized a cleanliness and sanitation drive at Udaipur, a remote village in Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, under the Swachhata Abhiyan Campaign 2026.
Located along the picturesque Chandrabhaga River, Udaipur is a remote and ecologically sensitive Himalayan settlement. The initiative focused on maintaining the cleanliness of the village surroundings, particularly the riverbank, while creating awareness about the importance of clean and healthy aquatic ecosystems. As part of the campaign, the CIFRI team conducted a riverbank cleanliness drive, collecting and removing plastic waste, polythene, discarded materials and other litter from the surroundings. The activity highlighted the shared responsibility of communities and visitors in protecting fragile Himalayan river ecosystems. A sanitation and awareness drive was also conducted at the Atal Tunnel portal, situated at an elevation of approximately 10,040 feet above mean sea level. Tourists visiting the renowned site from different parts of the country were encouraged to participate in the cleanliness initiative and were sensitized about responsible waste disposal and environmental stewardship.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. A.K. Sahoo, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, emphasized the importance of clean rivers for aquatic biodiversity, ecological balance and human well-being, highlighting the One Health approach linking human, animal and environmental health.
The initiative reaffirmed ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to clean rivers, healthy aquatic ecosystems and community participation, carrying forward the spirit of Swachhata beyond a single day and towards sustained environmental responsibility.
