Maharatna Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has flagged-off Clean Himalaya Expedition on 01 July 2019 to mark the beginning of the Swachhta Pakhwada. This cleanliness expedition, flagged off ONGC Director (HR) DR Alka Mittal, will be co-terminus with the Pakhwada on 15 July 2019.

Director (HR) flagging off the Clean Himalaya Expedition at ONGC Delhi office

This Clean Himalaya Expedition comprises cleaning of mountains in the following three regions:

1. Kedarnath in UK Himalaya
2. Khaliya Top-Munsiyari in UK Himalaya
3. Dharamshala –Mcleodganj in Himachal Himalaya

ONGC is investing rupees six lakhs for each of the three regions, totaling to rupees 18 lakhs.

The expedition group consists of 17 team members including one leader, five Mountaineers, one doctor and 10 local volunteers.

ONGC has roped in the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) to collaborate for this Clean Himalaya Expedition, as a part of Swachh Bharat Pakhwara Abhiyan. This cleanliness drive will especially involve cleaning of the mountain area and river belts in low and high altitudes/glaciers where rivers originate. The drive is proposed to be launched in these regions because they receive heavy footfalls in terms of tourists, both National & International.

IMF Volunteers explaining the concept of the drive

The beneficiaries of the projects are mainly the locals and tourists with improved sanitary conditions and health benefits in addition to the ecological conservation. The drive will be executed by volunteer mountaineers.

Director (HR) addressing the meeting

Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) is the apex national body for mountaineering and allied sports. IMF supports, promotes and regulates national and international climbing and mountaineering in India and is affiliated to the UIAA (International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation).