Japanese Volunteers Lead Cleanliness and Plantation Drive in Bodhgaya

A special cleanliness and plantation campaign was organised in Bodhgaya on Saturday under the Swachhta Sankalp initiative, spreading the message of environmental protection and civic responsibility. The programme was jointly organised by the People First Educational Charitable Trust, Bodhgaya, and Jomon Mirai Japan Kala International. A large number of Japanese volunteers, local social workers, members of voluntary organisations and school students enthusiastically participated in the campaign. The drive began early in the morning with a Prabhat Pheri (awareness march) around 8 a.m., during which Indian and foreign volunteers, wearing masks, caps and gloves, walked through the city streets carrying tools such as spades and tongs.The volunteers cleaned major roads and public areas, collecting scattered waste and placing it in sacks. The waste was later loaded onto a tractor following the volunteers. The initiative aimed to raise awareness among residents about maintaining cleanliness and keeping Bodhgaya free from litter. In the afternoon, the programme continued with a plantation drive along important stretches of the city. Around 200 medicinal and shade-giving saplings, including neem and peepal, were planted along the roadside from the Japan Temple to the 80-foot Giant Buddha statue, passing through Shakyamuni College up to Naring Sthan.The plantation drive was jointly inaugurated by Bodhgaya Nagar Parishad Chairperson Lalita Devi, Executive Officer Rajiv Kumar Gupta, People First directors Deepak Kumar and Gopa Sinha, Rotary Club president Dr Rajesh Kumar, hotel entrepreneur Vinay Kumar—originally from Bodhgaya and currently based in Japan—and former councillor Manoj Kumar, among others. Protective mesh has been installed around the saplings, and arrangements have been made for their regular watering to ensure their growth. The campaign conveyed a strong message about the importance of cleanliness as well as increasing greenery in the holy town.Volunteers from Japan, including Fumiko Uchiyama, Yoko Tomita and Tsutomu Yazawa, also actively participated in the programme.