DoKo Abhiyan

2023Climate Change & Environment

Apr 25

Nepal | Panchakoshi Jwala Yuwa Pratishthan | 2023

Namaste!

We are Panchakoshi Jwala Yuwa Pratishthan (PJYA), a dynamic youth-led organization based in Dailekh, Nepal. We aim to transform and create a positive impact in society through creativity and grassroots campaigns.

18 - 24 years old
Dailekh

The Right-Sized Problem

People are consuming more single-use plastics in our city, causing bad effects on our environment and contributing to climate change. But things were different in the past. Our ancestors used to rely on eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo baskets (dokos), bags made from gunny or jute, and even mats woven from corn husks. Sadly, these sustainable traditions have been overshadowed by the convenience of plastic.

What did we do?

Dailekh was no stranger to using environment-friendly products, so it became our mission to reintroduce these to communities and steer them away from plastic. Highlighting the importance of our indigenous products, we created Doko Manchey, a bamboo-made mascot strategically placed across the city. It even accompanied us to interview our city mayor, who talked about existing environmental policies and suggested potential programs to combat plastic use.

Every day, eager volunteers took turns parading around the marketplaces wearing clothes made of doko, sparking the curiosity of shopkeepers and townspeople. These eye-catching outfits were definite conversation starters! As part of our comprehensive approach, we organized a sanitation drive. We collected waste using Doko dustbins, demonstrating how to properly segregate biodegradable from non-biodegradable trash.

To engage the youth, we held exhibits at Doko Mahotsave and the Barkhe Mela cultural festival, showcasing locally made bamboo products and other sustainable materials. Further using art to spread awareness, we hosted Deusi Bhailo, an event featuring traditional songs, art and culture, all focused on promoting the importance of eco-friendly choices.

We transformed four community schools in Narayanan municipality into Green Zones, setting up ECO clubs in each one. Students showed off their creativity by painting school walls with murals with the theme, “Go Green (Green School)”, further inspiring the community to take action.

Campaign Impact

Our efforts in Naranayan didn’t go unnoticed–these sparked a wave of curiosity among the communities who wanted to understand more about the impact of plastic pollution. They have regularly and actively voiced their support and appreciation through our online posts, seeking updates for our work too. Seeing how our campaign affected the youth was rewarding. As they were exposed more to eco-friendly alternatives, they saw how it was possible to make the switch and embrace better choices. Villages have begun replacing plastic dustbins with bamboo versions, showing a renewed commitment to this new lifestyle.

Our campaign was highlighted in various media channels such as Galaxy 4K, AP1HD, Annapurna Post and Rajdhani. Radio Matrubhumi amplified our message by playing a jingle we wrote to start conversations on climate change.

Beyond the collaborations formed with youth clubs and schools, one of our campaign’s biggest wins is our local government’s commitment to drafting an Environment Protection and Waste Management Policy. This important milestone lays the foundation of a more sustainable society in Dailekh.

Impact in Numbers