Farooq Ahmed Ganai, a resident of South Kashmir's Anantnag district in Kashmir, has launched a unique initiative to tackle the problem of plastic waste in his area.

Under the slogan 'Give Plastic Take Gold', Ganai has announced that he will reward anyone who collects 20 quintal (2000 kg) of plastic waste with a 10 gram gold coin.

Ganai, who is the Sarpanch (village head) of Sadiwara a far-flung village panchayat in Hiller Shahabad block of South Kashmir's Anantnag district, came up with the idea of using gold coins as a reward to motivate people to collect plastic waste instead of throwing it in rivers, drains, or streets.

He believes that creating awareness and changing people's mindset is crucial in tackling plastic pollution. Ganai discussed the idea with the Deupty Commissioner, Dr Basharat Qayoom, who appreciated the initiative, and the campaign was officially launched on January 7, 2023, in a function organized by the Department of Rural Development.

Since the start of the campaign, Ganai has engaged at least 30 volunteers, including youth clubs, local endowment members, senior citizens, and employees of the irrigation department, to collectively and individually clean the area. The campaign not only focuses on cleaning the streets but also the rivers and streams in the area. Collection sites have been established to collect the plastic waste, and efforts are being made to recycle the waste.

Ganai's initiative has been widely praised by environmentalists, who believe that creating a reward system for collecting plastic waste can be effective in reducing pollution.

Locals in Sadiwara area have also joined the campaign voluntarily, and the positive effects of the campaign are already visible, with the roads, alleys, and streams in the area being free of garbage. Ganai's efforts have raised awareness among the local people about the harmful effects of plastic, and he plans to take this mission and campaign from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, covering the entire length of India.

Ganai is also experimenting with finding agricultural uses for used diapers, further showcasing his commitment to finding innovative solutions to waste management. His unique initiative of giving gold coins as a reward for plastic waste collection has proved to be effective in motivating people to collect plastic waste and keeping the area clean.