I have always believed in the power of community engagement to bridge the gap between the police and the people. My latest initiative took me to the quaint village of Kashipur, renowned for its population of Indian softshell turtles. What I found there in April, however, was disheartening. The lake, home to these majestic creatures, was choked with plastic waste and pollutants, a tragic sight that spurred me into action.
The timing was crucial; I aimed to clean and rejuvenate the lake before World Environment Day on June 5th. After the district elections, I held a public meeting on May 21st with the villagers, a routine part of my community policing program. After addressing police-related issues, I turned the discussion towards turtle conservation. I emphasized the significance of these turtles, not only as part of our natural heritage but also as a potential source of livelihood. I proposed the idea of developing the lake area into a picnic spot, attracting researchers and tourists, and boosting local earnings. I also connected the turtles to cultural heritage, mentioning that they are considered the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The villagers were convinced, and we agreed to undertake the cleaning operation on May 24th.
On the day of the cleanup, the villagers and the police joined forces. It was a heartening sight, everyone working together with a shared purpose. To ensure a thorough job, I reached out to the Namami Gange team, experts in the field, who provided invaluable guidance. With the initial cleanup done, I approached the village Pradhan for beautification funds, which he graciously allocated.
We installed informative posters around the lake, educating people about the endangered status of the turtles. To foster a deeper connection with the cause, we organized a painting competition for the village children, centered on the theme of turtle and environment conservation. The top three winners received gifts from me, and all participants were awarded certificates, acknowledging their efforts.
The entire initiative was immensely satisfying. Not only did we succeed in cleaning and beautifying the lake, but we also strengthened the trust between the police and the community. The positive image of the police was reinforced, and now almost every child and elder in the village has my contact number, as well as those of the SHO and SIs.
This experience reaffirmed my belief in the power of community-driven initiatives and the importance of police-public cooperation. Our beautiful Kashipur, with its now pristine lake and thriving turtles, is ready to host visitors and stand as a testament to what we can achieve when we come together for a common cause.
Anukrtiti Sharma, IPS, is currently posted as Additional SP, Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.
