ITANAGAR, 28 Jul: The Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) and the Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society, with support from the Itanagar Smart City Development Corporation Ltd, organised a river clean-up drive at the Yamaso river in C-II Colony, Ward 10, on the occasion of World Nature Conservation Day on Tuesday.

Yamaso is one of the sister rivers of the Yagamso river, with the two converging near the end of IG Park.

Volunteers taking part in the drive removed approximately 3,000 kilograms of waste from the river over the course of the day.

Speaking on the occasion, YMCR vice chairman Keyom Doni underlined the need for cleanliness and civic responsibility among citizens, and urged residents to take greater ownership of rivers and public spaces.

He spoke also about the YMCR’s ongoing work in organising clean-up drives and awareness campaigns for river conservation in Itanagar, and called for continued public cooperation in such efforts.

During the drive, volunteers observed a large heap of garbage accumulated between two multistorey residential buildings along the riverbank. According to the organisers, waste appears to be dumped at the spot regularly, with much of it eventually entering the river.

Local residents, particularly those living near the two buildings, told volunteers that the occupants of the buildings have repeatedly disposed of waste in and around the river. Residents said they had complained about the matter on several occasions, but the dumping has continued.

A ward member present at the site said notices had earlier been issued to the buildings concerned, but no change in behaviour followed.

The organisers said such dumping poses risks to public health, biodiversity, and the environment, and appealed to the IMC mayor and the Ward 10 corporator to take action against those responsible, and to prevent further illegal dumping in the area.