Odisha Sets Clean-Up Record

Plastic waste accumulation and poor plantation coverage had been persistent challenges in Odisha’s Nuapada district, despite its prior designation as a single-use plastic-free region. To reinforce and scale up earlier efforts, the district administration organised an unprecedented mass sanitation and plantation drive.

Held earlier this month, the two-hour campaign saw participation from 1.42 lakh people across 3,214 locations—making it India’s largest such effort in a single day. Over 32 tonnes of plastic waste were collected, and more than one lakh saplings were planted. The event was supervised by a UNICEF team and drew contributions from students, NGOs, healthcare professionals, and religious groups.