Arunachal: DNGC Students Lead Door-to-Door Campaign for Waste Segregation in Itanagar

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: As part of their academic internship with the Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR), students from Dera Natung Government College (DNGC) conducted a door-to-door information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign on Monday, to promote effective waste segregation practices in the state capital.

Supported by the Itanagar Smart City Development Corporation, the campaign covered key localities including Tagin Colony, IG Park, Abo Tani Colony, Division 4, and Chandranagar.

The initiative aimed to raise awareness among residents about the importance of separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste at the household level.

A total of 20 student interns, divided into five groups, visited more than 100 households, each team covering approximately 20 homes. They educated residents on the proper use of green bins for wet (biodegradable) waste and blue bins for dry (non-biodegradable) waste, promoting habits that contribute to improved waste management and recycling.

Informational pamphlets and posters were distributed to both residents and local vendors to reinforce the campaign’s message.

“Our goal was to help people adopt waste segregation as a daily habit,” said one of the student interns.

The students also demonstrated home composting techniques for food scraps and encouraged the disposal of non-recyclable waste through the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) garbage trucks.

Recyclables such as paper, plastic, and metal were advised to be handed over to local scrap dealers.

While the campaign was well received, particularly by younger residents, several challenges were noted.

Communication gaps arose with elderly residents who were not conversant in Hindi or English. In areas like Tagin Colony, where IMC garbage trucks reportedly do not make regular rounds, some residents were found dumping waste in open spaces or nearby streams.

The students addressed these concerns by explaining the environmental and health hazards of improper waste disposal, emphasising the need to protect local water bodies.

Although many residents were aware of waste segregation practices, a segment, especially senior citizens, required additional guidance and support.

The initiative drew appreciation from the community, with many lauding the efforts of the student volunteers, YMCR, and the Smart City Development Corporation.

The campaign also brought to light persistent civic challenges, including stream pollution and irregular waste collection, underscoring the ongoing need for public engagement and infrastructure improvements.

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