Department of Language Art & Culture of Himachal Pradesh has been honoured with Certificate of excellence for spreading the Swacch Bharat campaign to places with maximum footfall, in the 36 scheduled government controlled temples of HP by an international organization "Earthday network".Secretary Language Art Culture to the Government of HP Dr. Purnima Chauhan, while accepting the honour thanked "Earthday Network". She said that "Earthday Network" is working to protect earth from pollution in 192 countries with 75000 participant across the Globe on environment democracy.She said that all 36 temples including the renowned Jwalaji, Baijnath, Chintpurni ji etc are of great significance and the department is making sincere efforts to keep temple premises pollution free by issuing directions to enforce complete ban on use of plastic. She said that the Temple Administrations have been directed that 'Prasad' offerings would be distributed in biodegradable bags. In keeping with the sanctity attached to such Prasad, sanitary staff has been directed to ensure that fallen Prasad should be collected immediately and distributed to animal/birds to prevent it from being trampled and defiled.Dr. Purnima Chauhan said that a small tractor load of waste generated in each temple daily is to be recycled after segregation and the Temple administrations have been directed to create livelihoods by recycling waste flowers to make incense sticks that may become a source of income.