New Delhi, Jan 27: A social activist and environmentalist from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district has been selected for a prestigious award for his contributions to environmental conservation.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Advocate Farooq Ahmad Ganai, of Sadiwara village, popularly known as the “Kachra Man of Kashmir,” has been selected for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 in Environmental Service at the World Achievers Awards (WAA), a renowned global platform.
The award ceremony will be held on February 21 in New Delhi and will be attended by several dignitaries.
Ganai gained widespread recognition for his innovative “Give Plastic, Take Gold” campaign. Under the initiative, villagers exchange 200 kilograms of plastic waste for a gold coin, transforming Sadiwara into a model village for cleanliness.
Talking to KNO, Advocate Ganai said the award belongs to all those working for cleanliness and pro-environmental activities, particularly people of his native village Sadiwara and Panzath village in Qazigund.
Ganai said he envisions bringing all pro-environment activists under one umbrella to keep Kashmir and the country clean.
“If we do not act at the right time, future generations will have to face devastating environmental conditions. Strict laws are already in place, but they need to be enforced in full spirit,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the media for helping spread his cleanliness message and also thanked the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag and the Lieutenant Governor of J&K for their guidance and encouragement.
Advocate Ganai appealed to people to segregate household waste and avoid polluting water bodies and roads to safeguard future generations. “We easily throw garbage into water bodies, forgetting that the same water is consumed by people,” he said, adding that his fight to clean the Kashmir Valley will continue—(KNO)
