Volunteers from Cleanup Junagadh, an active community group in Junagadh, Gujarat, are spearheading weekly clean-up campaigns across the region’s forests and coastline. Notable recent efforts include a significant drive on 15th June 2025 at Shivrajpur beach as part of Gujarat’s #BeatPlasticPollution movement—a campaign that has drawn the backing of the Junagadh Municipal Corporation and local police.
These sustained drives have resulted in measurable improvements to natural landscapes and increased public support, both online and offline. Complementing these citizen-led actions, local authorities have intensified efforts to reclaim encroached public spaces, marking a holistic approach to restoring the city’s environmental and civic ethos.
Cleanliness Campaigns Mobilise Citizens and Spark Collective Action
Week after week, Cleanup Junagadh’s volunteer group has turned the spotlight on the urgent problem of waste in Junagadh’s natural habitats. Their most recent campaign at Shivrajpur beach saw scores of residents, students, and activists collect heaps of plastic, glass, and other debris—some of it washed up by the tide, some left behind by tourists.
Their participation dovetailed with a wider push under the #BeatPlasticPollution banner; this official state initiative facilitated collaborative efforts at 12 beaches, resulting in the removal of over 18,350 kg of rubbish by more than 1,600 people in just two weeks.
The group has also harnessed social media to rally digital support, encouraging those unable to attend in person to follow, share, and amplify the cause online. This approach has proved influential, converting passive onlookers into active participants or virtual supporters and amplifying a message of environmental stewardship throughout Gujarat.
Civic Authorities and Community Join Forces for Restoration
The clean-up movement’s momentum coincides with a resolute administrative push to address encroachment on public lands—most notably, a sweeping demolition near the historic Uparkot Fort that cleared around 60 unauthorised structures and reclaimed 14,000 square metres of government property. Junagadh Collector Anil Ranavasia and SDM Charansingh Gohil have both praised the synergy between citizen volunteers and official steps, noting that clearing encroachments and cleaning public places are “inseparable parts of a thriving civic culture.”
Local officials confirmed that since these joint campaigns began, public sentiment towards waste disposal has improved, with fewer complaints recorded regarding littering and illegal dumping. The administration remains committed to supporting grassroots movements while enforcing regulations to ensure sustained results. These twin forces—an empowered civil society and a responsive administration—are collectively transforming Junagadh’s environment and nurturing greater civic responsibility among its people.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Cleanup Junagadh’s journey underscores the power of ordinary citizens coming together for extraordinary causes. Backed by local authorities, their relentless commitment is shifting societal norms, championing empathy and responsibility, and setting benchmarks for other communities nationwide.
Not only do these volunteers clean up public spaces, but they also restore a sense of pride and ownership to each citizen. This convergence of passionate civic action and continual government support exemplifies how positive change ripples outward, fostering a cleaner, kinder, and more inclusive city. At The Logical Indian, we believe such local movements are the bedrock of a harmonious society.
