Staff reporter
Guwahati: In the heart of Guwahati, amid the bustle of urban life, a quiet but determined revolution has been unfolding. For the past 25 weeks, a dedicated group of citizens has taken it upon themselves to breathe new life into one of the city’s most cherished landmarks the historic Dighalipukhuri park in the Ambari area. What began as a humble clean-up drive has grown into a movement of resilience and hope, with volunteers collecting over 1,000 kilogram of waste a majority of it plastic and fostering a culture of responsibility and environmental stewardship.
On Sunday morning, the group marked their journey with a symbolic gesture: installing eco-friendly signage around the park to encourage visitors to dispose of waste responsibly and curb plastic usage. Their message was clear true change requires more than just action; it demands a shift in public consciousness.
“We wanted to mark this milestone not just with celebration, but by reinforcing our commitment to protecting Dighalipukhuri,” said Kukil Dutta, a steadfast volunteer who has been involved with the initiative since its inception in November last year.
Dutta recounted the daunting task of collecting heaps of plastic bottles, wrappers, and packets that had marred the historical site’s natural beauty. His sentiments were echoed by fellow volunteer Akansha Baruah, who stressed that while cleaning offers immediate results, sustainable transformation lies in changing people’s habits.
“Cleaning helps for a day or a week, but if people continue to litter, it becomes a never-ending cycle. That’s why we felt it was important not just to pick up waste but also to create visible reminders with signage and bamboo baskets. We want visitors to respect this space every time they enter,” Baruah said.
The volunteers’ work revealed a deeper layer of neglect — much of the waste had been buried under the soil for years. Undeterred, they painstakingly excavated the debris, packed it into jute bags, and placed it at the park’s entrance for proper disposal. However, challenges persist: some waste remains unattended, and troublingly, there have been instances of collected waste being burnt instead of being processed properly.
Despite the hurdles, the Dighalipukhuri clean-up movement has gained remarkable momentum. People from all walks of life — students, morning walkers, and local residents — have joined hands, inspired by the vision of a cleaner, greener Guwahati. Buoyed by the growing support, the volunteers now dream of expanding their efforts to other neglected spaces across the city.
Also Read: Guwahati Residents Clean Dighalipukhuri Amid Government Inaction
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