Shillong (Meghalaya), Dec 16: In a heartwarming display of civic responsibility, residents of Meghalaya are transforming their streets, villages, and public spaces. Armed with brooms and determination, these everyday citizens are reclaiming shared spaces as extensions of their own homes.
The Urban Affairs Department’s intensified focus on sustainable waste management, aligned with the national Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, has inspired individuals to take action. Across districts, volunteers have taken it upon themselves to clean streets, collect plastic waste, and set examples that quietly influence entire communities.
Raju Najiar from Dulong, West Jaintia Hills District, is one such unsung hero who starts his day by collecting empty cans and bottles, ensuring his locality remains litter-free. Despite physical challenges, Shynnaki Dkhar from Nongkynrih village, West Jaintia Hills District, relentlessly scavenges dirt and rags from both his own and nearby areas, proving that commitment is greater than constraint.
Deba Prasad Ghosh from Upper Mawprem, East Khasi Hills, has been a consistent force for years, supporting drain cleaning and waste removal. “I have been doing this for the past 20 years. In the morning, whatever waste is there on the road, the municipal workers clean it up. I help put in cleaning the drains, and I think, this will be better for everyone in the neighborhood, nobody will fall ill, or cause burden to the rest of the community,” he says.
The Urban Affairs Department’s innovative Green Deposit Scheme, rolled out in December 2025, adds a refundable deposit to plastic beverage containers at major eco-tourism destinations such as Sohra and Dawki. Tourists receive the deposit back upon returning empty bottles, encouraging responsible behavior and significantly reducing litter in environmentally sensitive areas.
Women-led initiatives are also emerging as key contributors to Meghalaya’s waste management story. Groups like the ‘Merry Maidens’ of Shillong and the Lainehskhem Self-Help Group produce certified compost using traditional and indigenous techniques, turning organic waste into a valuable resource.
The combined efforts of citizens, the Urban Affairs Department, and women’s groups are driving a positive shift towards a cleaner, greener Meghalaya. With the Green Deposit scheme in place, Meghalaya’s commitment to a cleaner environment is set to continue beyond campaigns and posters.
