PASIGHAT, SEP 23:

An estimated 5.6 tonnes of waste was cleared from the Sibo Korong riverbank at Gidi Notko here during a mass cleanliness drive themed “Swachh Nadi, Swachh Bharat”.

Organised by the Department of Mass Communication, Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), the drive was held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram” and as a prelude to the grand celebration scheduled from October 7 to 9 under the month-long programme sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Around 400 volunteers participated in the drive, including members of Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC), Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR), NSS Unit of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang, Rengging Baane Yameng Kebang, All Bogong Students’ Union, Arunachal Pradesh University Students’ Union and residents of Ward No. 1, GTC, Paglek and Sibo-Siang.

Chief Councillor Pasighat Municipal Council Tagom Padung stressed the need to instil civic responsibility among youth for maintaining clean rivers. Referring to the National Song’s ideal of “Sujalam, Suphalam”, he highlighted the cultural and ecological significance of clean rivers.

APU Registrar Narmi Darang said rivers are the lifeline of Arunachal Pradesh and protecting them is a collective responsibility. He said the university was committed to taking learning beyond classrooms and urged students to translate the spirit of “Vande Mataram” into action, stressing that “Swachh Bharat begins with Swachh Nadi”.

YMCR Vice Chairman Keyom Doni highlighted the deteriorating condition of urban streams due to household waste and single-use plastic. He said proper segregation of wet, dry and reject waste at source could significantly reduce the problem and urged youth to promote responsible waste disposal in their localities. He also called upon the PMC to strengthen door-to-door waste collection and penalise littering along riverbanks.

Chairperson of the River Cleanliness Drive Committee and Head of the Department of Computer Science Dr Lucindia Dupak said Sibo Korong was selected for its ecological and community importance. An audit of the collected waste showed large quantities of plastic wrappers, PET bottles, discarded clothes and construction debris from Gidi Notko.

Students, research scholars, faculty members and staff of APU, PMC officials and local residents actively participated in the drive.