Community-led zero waste Tadoba drive gathers pace

Chandrapur: In a major push towards sustainable waste management, the ‘Zero Waste Tadoba' initiative is transforming villages in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve buffer zone. Launched on October 2, the community-driven campaign promotes waste segregation, responsible disposal, and recycling at the village level.
District collector Vinay Gowda GC and zilla parishad CEO Vivek Johnson played an active role in the initiative. In the 13th week of the campaign, Gowda personally visited Ashta village in Bhadravati taluka, interacting with locals and schoolchildren to underline the importance of cleanliness. Earlier, in the 11th week, Johnson participated in a similar drive at Wadala village, reinforcing administrative support to the movement.
At Ashta, the drive witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 100 people including tehsildar, block development officer, forest officials, and villagers.
The initiative, spearheaded by forest department, is a weekly cleanliness drive held every Tuesday when tourism in Tadoba's core area remains closed.
Deputy director (core) Anand Reddy said TATR buffer zone covers around 90 villages across Chandrapur, Mul, Bhadravati, and Chimur talukas. "Every Tuesday, I visit a village to motivate locals and tourism stakeholders to participate in the campaign," he said.