ITANAGAR, Jun 1: Joining Himalayan states across the country under the Zero Waste Himalaya banner, the Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) conducted The Himalayan Cleanup (THC) today, organizing a cleanup drive at IG Park, Itanagar, under the theme “Our Mountains Deserve Better.”
The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the Himalayan waste crisis and promote sustainable practices, with volunteers collecting, segregating, and auditing 4,860 waste items, identifying single-use plastics as major polluters.
The clean-up revealed alarming statistics: single-use plastic (SUP) bags made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) topped the list of pollutants with 737 items, followed closely by 734 disposable glasses, 553 Centre Fruit chewing gum wrappers, and 456 Cadbury chocolate wrappers. Other waste items, including beer and whiskey bottles and Maggi packets, were also prevalent. A total of 61 waste types were identified, amounting to 4,860 items. The data will be uploaded to a customized app, enabling Zero Waste Himalaya to hold top polluting brands and companies accountable.
Jarjum Ete, President Emeritus of the All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP), addressed the volunteers, urging them to adopt sustainable lifestyle choices. “Our forests, water, and air are no longer what they used to be. Pollution, largely human-made, is the root cause. We must introspect and nurture our environment by generating less waste and disposing of it responsibly,” she said.
YMCR Chairman SD Loda expressed concern over Itanagar’s growing waste problem, emphasizing the need for individual responsibility. “Waste is a cancerous issue here, left untreated in our environment. We must be our own scavengers, taking charge of our waste. Mother Nature is our lifeline, and we must give back to it,” he urged.
Keyom Doni, YMCR Vice Chairman, who led the waste audit, highlighted practical solutions. “Simple actions like carrying cloth bags to markets can reduce plastic use. We thank all volunteers who braved the weather to make this cleanup a success,” he said, noting the top polluters identified during the audit.
Prem Taba, YMCR General Secretary and Zero Waste Himalaya member, underscored the urgency of addressing the Himalayan waste crisis. “THC shines a light on the plastic onslaught threatening our mountains. Waste management must go beyond brooms and bins—it’s a production and design flaw. Companies must be held accountable for polluting our fragile ecosystems. We call on everyone to reflect on consumption patterns, switch to sustainable alternatives, and demand action from top polluters,” Taba said.
The THC campaign encourages participants to “Reflect, Switch, and Demand”—reflect on waste issues, adopt sustainable practices, and push for better products and policies. As global negotiations for a plastic pollution treaty approach, THC emphasizes mountain-specific solutions, highlighting the threat plastics pose to both the environment and human health, he informed.
The event was held in collaboration with Itanagar Smart City, Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society, Morning Glory, and the NSS Unit of Don Bosco College, Itanagar.
All participants were awarded certificates for their contributions to the cleanup drive.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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