Imphal: Kamei Biju, a 44-year-old social work professor at the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University regional campus in Manipur, is winning the war on waste. She founded the Green Club Sangaiprou on September 29, 2018. It started small. Today, the movement transforms the 120-household village of Sangaiprou Kabui Khul into a model of community-led environmental care.
Every Saturday at 5:30 a.m., 17 to 20 volunteers hit the streets. They spend six hours clearing drains, roads, and public spaces. Biju pays each volunteer an honorarium of Rs 250 weekly from her own pocket to reward their labor. The group gathers 250 kilograms of plastic waste each week, selling it to recyclers to fund equipment and roadside beautification.
The initiative does more than scrub the streets. It plants fruit-bearing trees and educates residents on global warming. Biju credits her mother for her focus on civic duty. "Maintaining cleanliness is a discipline that should be cultivated from childhood. We started the club without any grand plan, but today it continues successfully because of the support and participation of people from every section of the community," Biju said.
The project survived early struggles with poor infrastructure, which finally improved in 2022. Neighboring Kakhulong has already adopted Biju’s model, and other villages are asking for the blueprint. Volunteer Kamei Jangsinglung credits the local results for keeping the momentum alive. "If we do not take care of our own surroundings, no one else will. Even small individual contributions can create a significant impact when the community works together," Jangsinglung said.
The Directorate of Environment and Climate Change honored Biju as an Inspiring Campaigner this year. Her work arrives as Manipur faces mounting climate pressure. Rising temperatures have made dengue a year-round threat, highlighting the urgency of local health and sanitation efforts.
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