Itanagar, Mar 15: In a remarkable environmental effort, over 180 students cleared a staggering 12 tonnes of waste from a 1-kilometre stretch of the Yagamso River near the RWD colony here, on Friday.
The clean-up drive was organised to mark the International Day of Action for Rivers, themed ‘Our Rivers, Our Future.’
The initiative was led by the Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) in collaboration with the political science department of Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Garden Dew School, and the Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society, with support from the Itanagar Smart City Development Corporation Limited.
Guest faculty at DNGC Dr Chalak Lowang commended YMCR’s efforts and urged students to take an active role in preserving the environment.
“Rivers are vital for our survival, providing essential resources. It is our collective duty to protect them. Students, as future leaders, must raise awareness and adopt sustainable practices to ensure environmental preservation,” she said.
YMCR vice-chairman Keyom Doni praised the enthusiasm of the participants.
“We are encouraged by the strong student response. This practical experience will help them understand the harmful effects of waste and the importance of environmental cleanliness. They must carry this lesson forward and work towards a cleaner Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of sustained community involvement to combat river pollution effectively.
Principal of Garden Dew School, Pyari George, addressed the students, motivating them to be proactive in environmental protection and to spread awareness in their communities.
As part of the Yagamso River Rejuvenation Project, YMCR volunteers also conducted a door-to-door awareness campaign in the neighbouring colony. They distributed pamphlets and urged residents to stop dumping garbage in the river, utilize IMC trucks for waste disposal, and segregate waste at home.
The campaign aimed to highlight the direct impact of waste disposal habits on river health and encourage individual responsibility for environmental conservation.
The cleanup drive reinforced the importance of collective action in protecting natural resources, inspiring students and residents alike to contribute to a cleaner and greener future.
