TEZU : More than 67 kg of waste was collected during a cleanup and waste audit drive conducted in Tezu under “The Himalayan Cleanup 2026,” a Himalayan-wide campaign aimed at addressing the growing plastic waste crisis in the region.
The two-day programme was organised by Team Amala in collaboration with AMYAA NGO as part of the initiative launched by Zero Waste Himalaya and the Integrated Mountain Initiative.
The first phase of the programme was held at Bamboosa Library, where around 40 participants, including representatives of student organisations, welfare societies, teachers, business owners, youth volunteers and citizens, attended awareness sessions on waste management and responsible consumption.
Participants discussed practical measures such as reducing the use of single-use plastics, promoting waste segregation, carrying reusable water bottles and adopting environmentally responsible lifestyles. The sessions also stressed that waste management is a shared community responsibility.
Volunteers were trained in waste segregation and waste audit procedures to identify the composition and sources of waste generated in the locality.
The second phase involved a cleanup and waste audit exercise near the Tezu Nala bridge area, where around 60 volunteers, including members of Lohit Green Foundation, Ex-SSB Welfare Society, students and community members, participated in the drive.
During the exercise, volunteers collected approximately 42.4 kg of plastic wrappers, 12.8 kg of glass bottles and 12 kg of PET bottles, taking the total waste collected to over 67 kg. Single-use packaged drinking water bottles, chips packets, beverage containers and instant food packaging were among the most common waste items identified during the audit.
Participants observed that the systematic process of waste segregation and brand auditing helped generate greater awareness about consumption patterns, waste generation and environmental responsibility.
All segregated waste materials were later handed over to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Tezu for recycling and resource recovery.
The organisers emphasised that cleanup drives alone cannot resolve the waste crisis and highlighted the importance of sustained behavioural change, responsible consumption and collective community action under the principle of “My Waste, My Responsibility.”
The programme concluded with appreciation for the support and participation extended by volunteers, organisations, students and citizens.
