Itanagar: In a significant environmental initiative marking World Nature Conservation Day, volunteers in Arunachal Pradesh removed nearly 3,000 kilograms of waste from the Yamaso River during a large-scale community clean-up drive in Itanagar.
The campaign was jointly organized by the Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) and the Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society (AMMS) with support from the Itanagar Smart City Development Corporation Ltd. (ISCDCL).
The clean-up drive took place along the Yamaso River in C-II Colony, Ward No. 10, where volunteers collected garbage from both the river and its banks.
The Yamaso River, a tributary of the Yagamso River, plays an important role in the local ecosystem before joining the larger watercourse near IG Park.
The initiative highlighted how collective community action can significantly improve the condition of urban water bodies.
Addressing volunteers during the event, YMCR Vice Chairman Keyom Doni emphasized the importance of public participation in protecting rivers and preserving the environment.
He urged citizens to take greater responsibility for waste management and stressed that sustained awareness campaigns are essential to reduce pollution in Itanagar’s rivers.
During the clean-up operation, volunteers discovered a large dumping site between two residential buildings along the riverbank.
Organizers noted that the area had been repeatedly used for illegal waste disposal, allowing garbage to flow directly into the river during rainfall.
Such practices, they said, threaten:
- Public health.
- Aquatic biodiversity.
- River ecosystems.
- Water quality.
- Urban sanitation.
Following the discovery, the organizers appealed to local authorities, including:
- Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC).
- Deputy Commissioner, Itanagar Capital Region (ICR).
- Ward No. 10 representatives.
They urged stricter enforcement against illegal dumping and stronger measures to protect the city’s rivers from pollution.
YMCR and AMMS also encouraged residents to adopt responsible waste disposal habits and actively support environmental conservation initiatives.
The organizations believe long-term community participation is key to maintaining cleaner rivers and ensuring a healthier environment for future generations.
River conservation initiatives like this help:
- Improve water quality.
- Protect aquatic ecosystems.
- Prevent pollution.
- Promote public health.
- Raise environmental awareness.
- Encourage community participation.
- Support sustainable urban development.
Such campaigns demonstrate how local communities can contribute meaningfully to environmental protection through collective action.
