On October 2, 2026, the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, students from 15 colleges of Delhi University gathered at Kalindi Kunj Ghat for a rather unique initiative led by the Gen Z on Yamuna cleanup and environmental responsibility.
Gen Z Yamuna Jal Chaupal 2026 was organized by Green Pencil Foundation in collaboration with Jagran Josh, and a barefoot Padyatra was organized during the Yamuna cleanup drive. Youth-focused discussions on river conservation and environmental pollution and cure.
Gandhi Jayanti Padyatra Towards Yamuna
The barefoot Padyatra began as a symbolic yatra towards Yamuna. The initiative was aimed at creating a closer connection between the students and the river to highlight individual responsibility towards the environment. The emphasis was laid on cleanliness with civic participation and collective effort.
The students from Delhi University participated in the cleanup drive in teams. They managed the collection of different types of waste, dry and wet, transporting collected waste to designated collection point, etc. The collected waste included plastic, disposable materials, discarded toys and metal, etc., alongside the riverbank.
The activity provided students with an opportunity to observe the impact of waste disposal on the Yamuna and highlighted the need for sustained efforts towards waste management and river conservation.
Participants Included 15 DU College Students
The participants included students from 15 DU colleges and also Eco Clubs, NSS units and student-led environmental organisations such as EnviSAGE, Haritashray, Paritantra, NSS ARSD, Green Brigade, Samvriti, Adveka, Aranya, Prithvi The Eco Club and NSS SRCC, etc.
The participation of multiple DU college groups provided students with an opportunity to collaborate beyond their respective campuses and discuss environmental issues affecting Delhi.
Highlights of Yamuna Jal Chaupal, the Cleanup Drive
After the cleanup, students discussed issues related to the Yamuna river with environmental practitioners who were a part of the drive. They talked about waste management, civic responsibility, participation of youth in environment conservation and how the Yamuna pollution can be curbed.
It was discussed that a single cleanup drive cannot address the larger challenge of saving the Yamuna river from pollution and exploitation. Long-term improvement requires waste management, sewage treatment, responsible disposal practices and continued public participation. Also, the students were encouraged to talk about the issue at hand within their college and communities to raise awareness.
Why Did the Gen-Z Cleanup Drive Matter?
Yamuna continues to face environmental challenges including pollution, untreated waste being disposed of in the river, and wastewater is untreated.
The Delhi Government and civic authorities are addressing the issue of river pollution, it is important for the citizens to come together and join hands to curb this issue. Public participation is very important and responsible waste disposal, awareness and active community involvement can contribute to better environmental practices.
Gen Z Yamuna Jal Chaupal 2026 brought students from different colleges, communities together to participate in the cleanup drive and gave them the opportunity to participate in environmental campaigns, research and increase awareness.
Coming together and participating in such initiatives, discussing these issues and being a part of the on-ground environmental activity will increase awareness and may increase participation of different communities.
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