Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh to Benefit from Coca-Cola India’s Project Clean Destination for Improved Waste Management

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Coca-Cola India, through its philanthropic arm Anandana, has partnered with the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to introduce Project Clean Destination in Bandhavgarh. This initiative, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is set to enhance solid waste management practices in the region over the next three years. The collaboration is in line with the Government of India’s Responsible Tourism Mission and the Swachh Bharat Mission, emphasizing sustainable tourism. The pact was officially formalized in the presence of Sh. Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, who serves as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) overseeing Culture, Tourism, Religious Trust, and Endowments.

Coca-Cola India is expanding its ‘Project Clean Destination’ initiative to Bandhavgarh National Park, building on its proven waste management success in Panna National Park. In collaboration with Saahas, the project actively engages local communities by setting up Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and village-level storage centers, ensuring an efficient waste management system. The initiative also empowers Swachh Mitras (Waste Workers) by providing training and employment opportunities in waste collection. As part of Coca-Cola India’s flagship Maidaan Saaf campaign, this effort emphasizes source segregation, spreads awareness about responsible waste disposal, and strengthens community involvement to drive lasting environmental change.

Speaking on the dedication to promoting sustainable tourism and forging strong public-
private partnerships in Madhya Pradesh, Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, Minister of
State (Independent Charge) for Culture, Tourism, Religious Trust and Endowments
stated, “The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is proud to strengthen its collaboration with
Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation through the expansion of Project Clean
Destination. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to preserving the ecological
heritage of iconic sites like Panna and Bandhavgarh National Parks. By addressing waste
management challenges and fostering community participation, we together aim to set new
benchmarks for sustainable tourism in the state, contributing to a cleaner and greener
Madhya Pradesh.”
Speaking about the initiative, Rajiv Gupta, Director – Anandana, the Coca-Cola India
Foundation, said, “Project Clean Destination continues the vision we set out three years
ago when we began our partnership with the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board for the
cleanliness of national parks, starting with Panna National Park. It reflects our commitment
to responsible waste management and eco-friendly practices. By establishing an efficient
waste collection and recycling system in the villages around prominent tourist sites in
Madhya Pradesh, we aim to protect these vital biodiversity hotspots while empowering local
communities to adopt environmentally conscious practices. This partnership is a significant
step towards creating scalable models for responsible tourism in India.”

By eliminating waste at its origin and empowering communities with sustainable stewardship, Project Clean Destination paves the way for a cleaner, more eco-friendly future.