CleanUp Kanpur: A City’s Journey towards a Cleaner Ganga | Under the CCPME Initiative

Kanpur, once known for its spiritual connection to the Ganga, is now confronting the harsh reality of plastic pollution choking its waterways. As part of the CCPME (Cities Combatting Plastic entering the Marine Environment) project, the CleanUP Kanpur initiative is bringing together communities, schools, and institutions to restore the river’s health.

From clean-up drives at COD Drain, Halwakhanda Drain, and Parmat Ghat to plog walks, zero-waste campaigns, Plastic Ki Pathshala sessions, and community art projects, the city is turning awareness into action. Events like the 3R Eco Mela, Boat Pe Charcha, and the world’s largest plastic-waste Ludo board have inspired public engagement and celebrated local champions.

This film is a joint production by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.