While various awareness programs are being conducted by the Central and State Governments emphasizing cleanliness and environmental protection, the real picture of the situation in Gajapati district is completely different. Despite the widespread publicity of the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign, the deplorable condition of the pond in the premises of the District Collector’s office in Paralakhemundi has exposed the reality of the cleanliness campaign. The District Council office is located on one side of this pond in front of the District Collector’s office and the Rural Self-Employment Training Center is located on the other side. In addition, there are more than four district level meeting halls in the premises. Various government meetings and programs are held here every day, but no one pays attention to the maintenance of the pond.
Trees, bushes and grass have grown around this pond, which has been neglected for a long time. Various types of garbage including plastic bottles, polythene, and garbage bags are seen floating on the pond water. Locals have expressed concern over the foul smell and the increasing number of mosquitoes and flies due to the dirty land on the embankment. According to local residents, this pond was once a major attraction and added to the beauty of the office premises. But due to lack of maintenance and administrative apathy, it has now become a center of uncleanliness.
The biggest thing is that despite all the departmental officers of the district, elected representatives, various leaders and ministers passing by this pond every day, no one is paying attention to this problem. What is more surprising is that despite the fact that a propaganda board of ‘Swachhta hi Seva’ is put up near the pond, the environment around it is unclean. Due to this, the general discussion is that the cleanliness campaign is limited to banners and publicity. Local intellectuals and conscious citizens have demanded that the administration immediately take permanent steps for cleaning the pond, removing garbage, regular maintenance, and beautification.
