Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar welfare body holds river cleanliness drive on International Day for Biodiversity

On the International Day for Biodiversity, the Youths of Abotani Colony welfare committee with support of NGO Youth Mission for Clean River and IMC Ward no. 6 Corporator a river cleanliness drive in Itanagar.

This day for Biodiversity is focused on “Water & Biodiversity” to coincide with the United Nations declaration of 2013 as the International Year for Water Cooperation. As billions of people continue to face the hardships that come with a lack of access to clean water or sanitation, a new way of thinking to achieve water security, such as including the preservation of ecosystem services and biodiversity in water development plans, can provide a more effective way forward.

Taz Gyamar, the Corporator of Itanagar Municipal Corporation for ward No.6  speaking to India Today NE asserted that this is just the beginning of protecting our streams and rivers, especially this Yogomso river. “We all are concerned witnessing the pollution level in our rivers and streams, especially in my ward no.6 where this oldest stream Yogomso flows. Due to these wastes including plastic & construction ones, these streams get choked & these untreated water bodies can be epicenters and lead to the spread of diseases. These polluted rivers and streams ultimately pollute the sea and oceans which enhances climate change. Our Municipal corporation is also taking several initiatives in this direction, today this initiative has been done with the support of NGO and common citizens. My ward No. 6 is heavily populated and I usually organise social service and cleanliness drives and spread awareness to save rivers and streams. Lastly, I thank the societies, NGO Youth Mission for Clean River,Abotani Colony welfare committee and others.”

According To Advocate SD Loda the Chairman of Youth Mission for Clean River, he started this initiative in 2016 to regain the glory of these streams of Itanagar which are now converted into drains. “In 2002 I migrated to Itanagar & during those days we used to do fishing, swimming in these streams which are much clean & pure during that time. Now in 2024, these streams carry a variety of wastes, and garbage turning these streams into drains with foul smells. The most unfortunate part is that neither the Government nor any of its machinery joins with us in this mission. This Yogomso streams in the heart of the capital city Itanagar which is now turned into the sewage carrier of Itanagar. The role of Itanagar Municipal is to do waste management and they should ensure to manage the waste and stop citizens from throwing waste into these streams and rivers. I am looking forward to a positive response from the government in this matter, I won't blame the government only as citizens are also responsible for this river pollution in Arunachal. I thank volunteers for joining the mission and government should support them. The water Pollution act is there but we need an effective enforcement agency like the state pollution board, district administration, or IMC which can play a vital role in curbing water pollution. In Arunachal no one is following or obeying these law” Loda asserted