TAWANG, Aug 29: Over 350 volunteers participated in a mass cleanliness drive across Tawang on Saturday, collecting nearly five truckloads of garbage from tourist destinations and roadside areas.
The campaign was organised by the Monpa Mimang Tsogpa (MMT) in collaboration with the Tawang District Administration and the Indian Army as part of efforts to promote a cleaner, plastic-free environment and responsible tourism.
The cleanliness drive covered the stretch from Griptsang Tso, beyond Nagula Pass, to the Giant Buddha Statue above Circuit House.
Members of the four Market Welfare Committees, Tawang Police, students, BRO, PWD, PHED, RWD, DC Office and other departments and organisations took part in the campaign.
Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering, Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, ZPM Kyidphel Tenzin Monpa, ADC Rinchin Leta, Assistant Commissioners Tenzin Jambey and Nawang Thutan and senior members of the MMT also participated in the drive.
The collected waste was transported to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Tawang for proper segregation and disposal.
During the campaign, DC Namgyal Angmo interacted with Army and BRO officials and stressed the need for regular cleanliness drives around their establishments. She suggested that weekly cleanliness activities be undertaken to prevent waste accumulation.
The DC also requested the MMT to continue the campaign on Sunday to clear the remaining waste along tourist routes and at other locations.
The initiative brought together the administration, security forces, government departments, community organisations, students and citizens, reflecting the spirit of Jan Bhagidari.
The organisers appealed to residents and tourists to avoid single-use plastics, refrain from littering and dispose of waste responsibly to safeguard Tawang's fragile environment amid rising tourist footfall.