Cleanliness, plantation drives held across state

SWACHHATA HI SEVA 

ITANAGAR, Sep 19: As part of the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign, mass cleanliness drives, plantation programs, and river cleanliness initiatives were held across Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday.

In Itanagar, the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) organized a cleanliness drive and plantation event titled "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" at the historic Itafort site. IMC Mayor Tamme Phassang, Urban Development Commissioner Vivek Pandey, IMC Commissioner Techu Aran, and ICR Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom participated actively alongside corporators and IMC staff.

Phassang emphasized that waste management requires collective effort, urging citizens, community-based organizations, and NGOs to contribute to maintaining cleanliness and environmental preservation. "We all must come together and contribute to keeping the city clean and green," he stated.

The mayor explained that the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to plant trees in honor of one's mother, encourages individuals to plant and nurture trees for a healthier environment. He also announced that the IMC is identifying "dark spots" for targeted cleanliness efforts and plans to organize further events, including cleanliness drives across various wards, leading up to Gandhi Jayanti.

Commissioner Pandey reiterated the importance of communal responsibility, stating that Itanagar represents the state and urging residents to avoid littering. IMC Commissioner Techu Aran and Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom also called for active participation from residents to ensure a cleaner Itanagar.

In Likabali, a river cleanliness program took place at the Siji River, led by Lower Siang Deputy Commissioner Rujjum Rakshap, with participation from local SP G Dajangju, PHE & WS Executive Engineer Binga Gara, and community members.

Meanwhile, in Namsai, a mass cleanliness drive saw participation from local dignitaries, including Lekang MLA Likha Soni and Namsai Deputy Constituency C R Khampa. The drive began at the tourist lodge in Mahadevpur and concluded at the Dirak Gate, marking the Arunachal-Assam boundary. MLA Soni praised community involvement, while DC Khampa stressed the campaign's significance in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

PHE & WS executive engineer Radhe Raja highlighted the fortnight-long campaign themed "Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata," which began on September 17 and will conclude on October 2, coinciding with Swachh Bharat Diwas.

In Yingkiong, a tree plantation drive was conducted to promote greenery, led by Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Hage Lailang. An awareness program on Swachhata Hi Seva was also held at Jengging, where PHE & WS Assistant Engineer Kaling Paron educated participants on waste segregation and administered a pledge to ban single-use plastics.