Senior administrative officials in Odisha’s Kandhamal district on Tuesday spearheaded a cleanliness drive at Daringbadi ahead of the much-anticipated Daringbadi Winter Festival, scheduled to be held from January 8 to 11. The initiative was undertaken to ensure a clean, green, and welcoming environment as the hill station gears up for a large influx of tourists during the winter season.
The sanitation drive was led by Daringbadi Block Development Officer (BDO) Pritiranjan Rath and Tahasildar Dhiraj Patra, who actively participated in the exercise early in the morning. Wearing masks and carrying brooms, the officials cleaned public roads and open spaces along with local residents, setting an example of leadership through action.
Speaking on the occasion, BDO Pritiranjan Rath said the drive focused on public awareness and collective responsibility. “‘Cleanliness is Service’ is the guiding principle of this programme. Officials and residents have come together to spread awareness about maintaining cleanliness in our surroundings,” he said.
Highlighting Daringbadi’s significance as a major tourist destination, Rath added that the campaign titled‘Clean Daringbadi, Green Daringbadi’aims to sensitise both locals and visitors about environmental protection and sustainable tourism practices.
Echoing similar sentiments, Tahasildar Dhiraj Patra said cleanliness is a shared responsibility. “This is not an individual effort but a collective one. Under the motto ‘Clean Daringbadi, Green Daringbadi’, we are working together to preserve the natural beauty of the region,” he said.
Thanking participants for their support, Patra noted that tourists from across Odisha and other parts of the country flock to Daringbadi during the winter season, making it essential to maintain hygiene and environmental balance.
The Daringbadi Winter Festival, one of the major attractions in Kandhamal district, is expected to draw large crowds with its cultural programmes and seasonal experiences, further underscoring the importance of cleanliness and sustainable tourism in the region.
