MCC seeks public cooperation for a clean and green Mysuru during Dasara 

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) on Wednesday convened a meeting of civic groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and citizen activists to chalk out measures for Swacch Dasara.

Chaired by MCC Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif, the meeting focused on strategies to handle the surge of visitors and ensure strict waste management across the city.

It was also stressed that the initiative should not be confined to the festival but serve as a step toward a long-term culture of civic discipline. The MCC Commissioner said they envisage people’s movement to keep Mysuru clean and green during and after Dasara as well.

The meeting drew representatives from civic groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), educational institutions and citizen activists, who stressed that cleanliness should not remain a one-off event but evolve into a sustained campaign.

The MCC authorities said they wish to project Mysuru’s status as one of the cleanest cities in India during Dasara and also vest the people with responsibility to not litter the city.

‘’My Waste My Responsibility’’ is one of the concepts that will be publicised and propagated among the citizens while tourists will be impressed to help maintain Mysuru clean and green by not littering, etc.

The Commissioner said Swachh Dasara initiatives include building a strong volunteer base for citizen-led clean-up drive and to showcase Mysuru as a national model for clean and sustainable festivals.

The authorities said the MCC wants to protect the city’s heritage and reputation during peak tourism season, and wish to combine festive celebrations with civic responsibility.

Among the key activities planned by the MCC include round the clock cleanliness, deployment of extra manpower and vehicles across all zones, continuous monitoring to ensure clean streets, public spaces and tourist areas, and use of IEC campaigns against littering.

MCC also plans to display daily waste generated figures on digital boards across the city during Dasara apart from launching an initiative to transform waste materials into creative art installations.

Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), one of the organisations which submitted a detailed plan of action, said focus must be on preventing littering rather than merely cleaning up after it. MGP said schools that had earlier participated in the ‘Clean Mysuru City’ campaign should be roped in again, with the Department of Public Instruction urging principals to display posters and assign teachers to motivate children.

MGP also recommended that MCC develop a mobile app on the lines of the ;Public Eye’ traffic initiative, where students and activists can upload photos of people littering. Incentives and prizes could be introduced to encourage such vigilance, it said.

The MCC urged stakeholders to view cleanliness as a civic responsibility and not just a Dasara-time obligation. The meeting was attended by senior officials of MCC, NGOs, educational institutions, social service organisations, etc., apart from representatives from trade and commerce associations.