Rain or shine, Guwahati acts: Citizens Reclaim Dighalipukhuri with art, action, and waste reform

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 5, 2025

Not even relentless rain could dampen the spirit of civic pride and environmental commitment as the Reclaim Guwahati – Dighalipukhuri Chapter marked World Environment Day with hands-on action, public art, and community-driven solutions.

The morning kicked off with a brisk 15-minute “plogging” session—picking up trash while walking—led by environmentalist Arshel Akhter. In just that short time, participants collected nearly 8 kilograms of waste along the park’s boundary, a stark reminder of the ongoing need for responsible behaviour in public spaces.

Urmi Buragohain then welcomed attendees, setting the tone for a morning rooted in collective reflection and creative activism. A major highlight was the unveiling of a fish-shaped trash sculpture designed by artist Gyandeep Nath. The sculpture, funded and supported by the local community, was inaugurated by longtime resident Fatima Gulbadan baidew, who described it as “a creation by the people, for the people.” The sculpture’s goal is both symbolic and functional: to turn waste disposal into a conscious, visual act—plastic waste goes in the fish’s belly, not the lake.

Pushing forward with long-term waste solutions, Shirshendu Shekhar Das announced the upcoming launch of Goodeebag, an app that will allow Guwahati residents to schedule weekly dry waste pickups from their homes. He also led a live waste segregation session inside the park as part of the broader Great Himalayan Clean-Up campaign, helping volunteers sort plastic, paper, and mixed trash left behind by park-goers.

Participants later took time to write personal environmental pledges, committing to protect Guwahati’s ecological heritage. Three young Reclaim Guwahati interns—Gargi Dutta, Bipanchi Chakravarty, and Pankaj Rabha—under the guidance of Runa Khatun, created vibrant pledge boards to showcase these commitments.

The event ended on a simple, warm note with tea and biscuits shared among participants—capping off a powerful morning that blended community, creativity, and action.

This World Environment Day wasn’t about grand gestures—it was about local solutions, everyday accountability, and the growing power of people coming together to reclaim what’s theirs.