500 join plog run along Dibrugarh dyke to promote cleanliness

Dibrugarh: About 500 people joined a plog run along the Dibrugarh Town Protection Dyke beside the Brahmaputra on Saturday, turning the popular walking stretch into a public campaign for cleanliness and civic responsibility despite overcast skies and rain.The drive was organised jointly by the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation and Shrishti NGO, with civic officials, volunteers and members of local organisations taking part. Carrying banners and posters, participants walked and jogged along the dyke while collecting litter, reflecting the concept of plogging, an eco-friendly fitness activity that combines exercise with waste collection.Plogging began in Sweden around 2016, derived from the phrase “plocka upp,” meaning “pick up,” and “jogging.”

The practice has since gained global popularity as a way to address littering while encouraging fitness.Dibrugarh Mayor Saikat Patra and Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation commissioner Jay Vikas were among those who participated.“An initiative like this sends a powerful message that keeping our city clean is not just the government's responsibility but every citizen's duty,” said mayor Patra, praising volunteers for taking part despite the bad weather.

Vikas said community involvement was essential for lasting urban cleanliness. “Plogging combines health and environmental responsibility in one activity. We hope drives like this inspire more residents of Dibrugarh to make responsible waste disposal a daily habit,” he said.Organisers chose the Dibrugarh Town Protection Dyke because it is a busy recreational space used by walkers and fitness enthusiasts every morning and evening. Shrishti NGO said parts of the dyke had been affected by littering and casual waste dumping, making it a fitting location for the awareness drive.