Gorakhpur is one of the fastest growing city in Indo- Gangetic region. There is large scale in-migration of rural people who are adding to the problems of under and un-planned development of city. The basic infra-structure, services, habitation patterns are major concerns of the city which has large low lying areas. Citizen's participation and their pro-active role is crucial in giving the direction to the development trends. A workshop was organized on World Environment Day, the 5^th of June 2011 at Nipal Lodge in Gorakhpur to identify priority issues which are needed to be addressed and the role citizenry can play in this direction. It was recognized that citizen will have to recognize that it is our city and we have to pro-actively engage in its conservation and development. Doctors, Lawyers, Media groups, government officials, traders, academics, social organizations etc. were represented in the workshop which had more than 100 participants. The Mayor of Gorakhpur Honb'le Anju Chowdhry also joined and re-inforced the commitment for full support to citizen's actions for a better future of Gorakhpur city. 

Some of the major concerns identified- through the deliberations were :

•     Abrupt and illegal occupying of land of water conservation by public caused enhancement of the water logging problem.

•     Unplanned development of the city, the emergence of the city as a principal commercial and industrial city attracting migrants which exerted considerable pressure on urban resources and increased various problems due to incapability of the administration to cope up with the situation. The ultimate sufferers are citizens of the city.

•     Lack of awareness among citizens, conservative and self-centered westernized nature of the people.

The group felt that this is the time to Act ! 

Following strategies were agreed upon for the collective action :

•     There is need to have a better coordination between representatives of civil societies and representatives of Govt officials. In this direction there is need to form groups on the themes given below in order of their priority  in which people of both the parties should  participate, form strategy and implement the activities. The identified themes are:

                     -Solid waste management

                     -Sewage , water logging

                     -Drinking water and health

                     -Transport and illegal occupation of land

                     -Noise pollution

•     A citizens plan is required to be prepared reflecting vision 2025 on behalf of Gorakhpur city envisaging problems of citizens of Gorakhpur on priority basis.

•     The Schools should be targeted for organizing awareness programmes at a large scale in the month of July 2011.

•     A web site should be developed through which common citizens, desirous organizations can collect data, receive complete information on planned and implemented Govt. schemes and programmes related to Gorakhpur city.