The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has collected and scientifically managed approximately 906 t of waste generated during pilgrimages across the state since 2024, according to a statement from the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office. The work has included the annual Ambaji Padyatra and has been undertaken through the Swachh Paryavaran Yatra initiative.

The campaign has reached more than 14.3 mn devotees through environmental awareness activities along pilgrimage routes. These have included the Uttarvahini Narmada Parikrama and Fuldol Mahotsav in Dwarka, with the programme combining sanitation measures, scientific waste management and alternatives to single-use plastics.

During the recently concluded Ambaji Padyatra, the GPCB collected and managed 38.8 t of waste. The campaign established 300 Seva Kendras and deployed 13 vehicles, along with 90 sanitation workers and field personnel, for cleanliness and waste management operations.

The board distributed 31,000 compostable bags, 1,500 cloth bags and 4,850 steel bottles to reduce single-use plastic consumption. A bottle-exchange programme also facilitated the collection of 38,466 plastic bottles, while awareness activities included 70 street plays, two Dayra programmes, 400,000 awareness bands and more than 50,000 pamphlets.

The state government said the initiative was intended to strengthen cleanliness and scientific waste management at major pilgrimage sites. Officials estimated that the Ambaji campaign helped mitigate 27.58 t of carbon dioxide emissions and save 325,000 kWh of energy, while outreach activities encouraged devotees to dispose of waste responsibly and maintain cleaner pilgrimage routes.