Intensive Deliberations on the Environment to be Held in Special Gram Sabhas: HIRD Director Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan

Nilokheri, June 4, 2026: On the occasion of World Environment Day, and at the joint call of the Government of India's Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti, special Gram Sabhas are being organized across all Gram Panchayats in the state on June 5. The objective of these Gram Sabhas is to promote sanitation, environmental conservation; solid and plastic waste management, water conservation, and public participation.

Sharing this information, Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan, Director of the Haryana Institute of Rural Development (HIRD), Nilokheri, stated that instructions have been issued to all Gram Panchayats in the state to ensure their active participation in this campaign. Through these special Gram Sabhas, villagers will be inspired to build clean and green villages, and various topics related to environmental conservation will be discussed.

Dr. Chauhan informed that he himself would attend a special Gram Sabha organized in the Yamunanagar district on June 5th as the Chief Guest, where he would raise awareness among the villagers regarding environmental conservation, sanitation, and public participation.

He further explained that the 'Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu' (Clean Village, Safe Climate) campaign is being organized by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and it is set to conclude on World Environment Day, June 5th. As part of this initiative, the special Gram Sabhas have been included as a key activity within the campaign framework. The primary objective of this campaign is to strengthen community involvement and public participation in order to achieve total sanitation in rural areas.

HIRD Director, Dr. Chauhan remarked that a 'Clean Village' is not merely a campaign, but rather the foundation for a secure future for coming generations. The creation of clean, healthy, and self-reliant villages will only become possible when every citizen resolves to commit to environmental conservation. He added that the active participation of Gram Panchayat representatives, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), 'Swachhagrahis' (sanitation volunteers), youth groups, women's groups, and various social organizations will be ensured during these special Gram Sabhas. The meetings will feature detailed discussions on topics such as solid waste management, reducing the use of single-use plastics, waste segregation, composting, and maintaining the cleanliness of public spaces and water sources.

He urged the villagers to participate enthusiastically in this special Gram Sabha, organized on the occasion of World Environment Day, and to contribute towards making their village clean, green, and eco-friendly. Public participation is, indeed, the greatest strength of any campaign for sanitation and environmental conservation.