Staff reporter
DIPHU, Aug 16: In a heartwarming display of community spirit and environmental stewardship, over 50 volunteers from various organizations and schools gathered at the picturesque Kangthilangso waterfall picnic spot in Den Arong, Karbi Anglong, to participate in a river clean-up program. The initiative, organized by ‘The Drongo Express’ (TDE) newspaper house in collaboration with Heritage Learning Programme (HLP) and supported by several local NGOs and student groups, aimed to restore the natural beauty of this popular tourist destination.
The clean-up drive, which marked a countdown event for TDE’s 10th anniversary celebrations on August 25, saw enthusiastic participation from young students of Langparpak LP School, members of the Karbi Students’ Association, Yuva Tourism Club of Diphu Govt. Boys’ HS School, and the picnic spot management committee. Together, they collected numerous bottles, wrappers, and other litter left behind by picnickers, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable tourism practices.
Welsing Hanse, teacher-coordinator of the Yuva Tourism Club, emphasized the importance of public awareness in maintaining the cleanliness of the area. “Unless visitors take responsibility for their actions and refrain from littering, our efforts will have limited impact,” he noted.
“The waterfall and the river are very beautiful, but the presence of litter spoils the beauty. This will create bad impressions of the place in the eyes of tourists coming here for the first time,” he added.
The Kangthilangso management committee has been working to prevent visitors from taking food and drinks into the waterfall areas, but their efforts are often disregarded. A member of the committee expressed concern about the reckless behavior of some visitors, who break glass bottles on the rocks, posing a danger to others.
TDE extended its gratitude to all participants, supporters, and well-wishers, including Sabin Rongpi, Director of HLP, and Barnabas Killing, General Secretary of KSA, for their contributions to the clean-up drive. This collective effort serves as a reminder of the importance of community involvement in preserving our natural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
As the community comes together to protect Kangthilangso’s beauty, it is hoped that visitors will take note and adopt more responsible behaviors, ensuring the long-term sustainability of this precious natural resource.