Pokhara, Kaski (February 22, 2025) – In a bid to raise awareness about cleanliness and environmental conservation, Pokhara hosted a unique waste collection run on Saturday under the slogan "Clean Nation, Our Environment." The event was organized by the Mainadevi Foundation in collaboration with Pokhara Metropolitan City, Pratibha Secondary School, Target Educational Consultancy, and various other organizations.
The Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Raj Pandey, inaugurated the event. Addressing the participants, he emphasized that initiatives like this not only target visible waste but also aim to transform negative mindsets. "It is essential for our youth to lead the way in both physical and mental cleanliness," said Pandey.
KP Khanal, Chairperson of the Mainadevi Foundation, shared that the run was part of a broader campaign to create a clean, green, and beautiful city. “Our objective is to unite citizens, especially youth and students, to take active responsibility for environmental conservation and inspire others to avoid littering,” he stated.
The event featured a five-kilometer run, starting and ending at Pratibha Secondary School in Nadipur. Participants traversed through key landmarks, including Palikhe Chowk, Mahendrapul, New Bazaar, Prithvi Chowk, Sabha Griha Chowk, and New Road. The rules required participants to form pairs and collect waste during the one-hour run. Prizes were awarded to teams that collected the most waste.
Participants included students from various schools and colleges, as well as representatives from Nepal Police, Nepal Army, and several civic organizations. Foundation member Srishti Ghimire explained that the waste collected was weighed to determine the winners.
Highlighting the importance of sustainability, Kiran Sapkota, Principal of Pratibha Secondary School, and Bhuvan Kshetri, founder of Target Consultancy, called for such symbolic initiatives to become monthly events. "These activities help foster a culture of responsibility and inspire long-term behavioral change," said Sapkota.
The Mainadevi Foundation has pledged to expand such events across other cities in Nepal, aiming to promote environmental conservation and discourage littering on a national scale.
This initiative highlights the importance of collective efforts in combating urban waste challenges and paves the way for a cleaner, greener future.
