TAWANG, AUG 29:

More than 350 volunteers participated in a mass cleanliness drive organised by the Monpa Mimang Tsogpa (MMT) in collaboration with the Tawang district administration and the Indian Army on Friday, with the objective of keeping the town and its tourist destinations clean, hygienic and plastic-free.

The cleanliness campaign covered an extensive stretch from Griptsang Tso beyond Nagula Pass to the Giant Buddha Statue above the Circuit House in Tawang.

Members of all four Market Welfare Committees of Tawang, Tawang Police, students, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Public Works Department (PWD), Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Rural Works Department (RWD), DC Office and other volunteers took part in the drive. Tawang Police Station Officer-in-Charge Inspector Niyi Angu led the police contingent.

Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering, Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, Zilla Parishad Member Kyidphel Tenzin Monpa, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rinchin Leta, Assistant Commissioners Tenzin Jambey and Nawang Thutan, MMT Vice-President Pema Chowang, Secretary Sange Phuntsok Nguimo, Social Service Secretary Tsering Dhondup and members of WWA Tawang also participated in the campaign and encouraged the volunteers.

The drive resulted in the collection of approximately five truckloads of garbage, which were transported to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Tawang for proper handling and disposal.

During the campaign, Tawang DC Namgyal Angmo interacted with Army and BRO officers at various locations and stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in and around their establishments and areas of operation. She urged them to organise weekly cleanliness drives to prevent waste accumulation.

The DC also requested the MMT to continue the campaign on Saturday to clear the remaining garbage from tourist locations and along the route.

The initiative reflected the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, bringing together the civil administration, Army, police, government departments, community organisations, students and citizens for a common cause.

With tourist footfall in Tawang increasing, the campaign underscored the need for collective efforts to preserve the cleanliness and natural beauty of the region. Residents and visitors were also urged to avoid single-use plastics, refrain from littering and dispose of waste responsibly. (DIPR)