Milkar, a Lahore-based NGO, recently launched a cleanliness drive at the Fort Road Food Street, in collaboration with Life at Lahore, an online artist community that facilitates networking between enthusiastic and passionate volunteers, and Sweet Tooth, one of the many restaurants located on the street. It was cleverly titled, Cleaning the Six Gates of Lahore. The idea was to raise public awareness on environmental issues.

It turned out to be a successful venture, as a host of citizens volunteered to engage in cleaning the streets, at the same time, inspiring a sense of responsibility among the general public.

The participants were handed biodegradable bags, which they used to pick up the trash in their designated areas.

The drive involved 30-odd volunteers, including students from the FC College and Bahria University (BU), bloggers, influencers and working professionals as well as children. Since the minimum age for participation was 15 years, there was a diverse age group engaging with one another.

The campaign, on a larger scale, is called Cash Your Trash. It saw a host of youngsters, many of whom had stepped out of the comforts of their homes and become involved in community work for the first time.

On another note, the cleanliness drive encouraged the women to engage themselves in public spaces, which is something they do not regularly get a chance to do. Endeavours like these create safe spaces for an active engagement for all.

At 8 in the morning, the volunteers gathered at Sweet Tooth on Food Street, before being divided into teams. Each team was to have five people and a leader. Later, the volunteers walked across the Food Street, from Masjid Wazir Khan to Delhi Gate and so on. They covered the entire area on foot, collecting plastic waste along the way. Besides, they ensured that the waste was properly discarded.

It’s an ongoing campaign, the volunteers will be sent to other public areas such as community parks in the coming weeks. The activity takes place on weekends only.

The initiative enables individuals to develop a sense of responsibility and creates an alternative space that allows for communal growth, environmental sustainability and change.

At 8 in the morning, the volunteers gathered at Sweet Tooth on Food Street, before being divided into teams. Each team was to have five people and a leader. Later, the volunteers walked across the Food Street, from Masjid Wazir Khan to Delhi Gate and so on. They covered the entire area on foot, collecting plastic waste along the way.