Sikkim launches ENGAGE-2025 to boost waste management awareness among youth

The Urban Development Department (UDD) of Sikkim, under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), officially launched the ENGAGE-2025 campaign at the State Panchayat Resource Centre in Deorali on Tuesday. Organised in collaboration with the social initiative group 24 Hours Inspired, the campaign aims to promote awareness, behavioural change, and active community involvement in waste management, particularly among students and educational institutions.

The launch event, attended by students from various schools and colleges, saw Minister for Urban Development and Food and Civil Supplies, Mr Bhoj Raj Rai, as the chief guest. In his inaugural address, Mr Rai highlighted the importance of starting sustainable waste practices at the grassroots level. “Students have the power to become change-makers. If we build environmental responsibility into their education, we lay the foundation for a cleaner future,” he said. He also called for integrating concepts like segregation, recycling, and sustainability into school curricula to instil lasting values.

Mayor of Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Nell Bahadur Chettri, emphasized that the success of any waste management system rests on collective efforts. “Segregation at source is the first step toward an efficient and sustainable solution,” he noted. Echoing similar sentiments, Deputy Mayor Ms Tshering Palden Bhutia underlined the importance of behavioural change and urged individuals to make cleanliness a personal and daily habit. She also appealed to teachers to serve as role models and educate students on hygiene and sanitation.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of UDD, Jitendra Singh Raje, reiterated that environmental responsibility must become part of daily living. “Waste management is not just a campaign—it is a way of life,” he said, linking environmental neglect to broader issues like global warming and climate change. He called upon the youth to take charge and lead the path toward a “Swachh and green Sikkim.”

Secretary of UDD, Yogita Rai, provided a comprehensive explanation of the IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) component of the ENGAGE-2025 campaign. She outlined upcoming activities including awareness sessions, workshops, student-led campaigns, and community outreach initiatives. “The goal is to inspire action through education. Small efforts like reducing, reusing, and recycling can collectively make a big impact,” she stated.

Joint Secretary, SBM(U), Jerusha Shrestha, described the initiative as the start of a collaborative journey. “Adopting sustainable habits is not a one-day task—it requires continuous effort from everyone,” she said, encouraging all participants to take the message beyond the classroom into homes and neighbourhoods.

Delivering the keynote address, Additional Secretary-cum-State Mission Director, SBM(U), Jigmee Wangchuk Bhutia, said that ENGAGE-2025 will run for a full year and cover 40 urban schools across Sikkim. The campaign will involve teachers, students, and community stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to ensure inclusive participation. “This is not just about managing waste—it's about changing mindsets,” he added.

Dinesh Acharya, representing GNS Builders, gave a detailed presentation on the current waste management systems in Gangtok, where GNS is the operational partner. He shared updates on infrastructure, technology adoption, and social media outreach strategies. Acharya also highlighted milestones achieved under the partnership and laid out future plans aiming to make Sikkim a zero-waste state.

Dewaker Basnet from 24 Hours Inspired introduced the ENGAGE-2025 campaign and its roots in over 15 years of work with educational institutions. He elaborated on how the campaign will be implemented through educational channels, incorporating competitions, discussions, and IEC-driven activities to teach students about resource conservation and sustainability.