Arunachal Guv honours Itanagar Mayor, calls for 'Zero Litter Mission' to make capital a sustainable tourism hub
Itanagar, Aug 3
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik on Sunday conferred the prestigious 'Land of the Rising Sun' Medallion for Excellence on Itanagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Likha Nari Tadar in recognition of her outstanding contribution to improving urban infrastructure and making the state capital cleaner, greener and more citizen-friendly.
Presenting the award at Lok Bhavan in Itanagar, the Governor lauded the Mayor's dedicated leadership in strengthening civic services, promoting cleanliness and sanitation, and implementing initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents of the Capital Region.
Congratulating Tadar and the IMC team for their commitment and proactive approach, Parnaik appreciated the progress made in strengthening municipal services. He observed that a clean and well-managed city reflects the collective responsibility of citizens and civic authorities and plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of urban life.
The Governor encouraged the civic body to continue its people-centric initiatives while embracing innovative and technology-driven solutions to improve urban governance. Emphasising the need to transform Itanagar into a clean, hygienic and sustainable tourism city, Lt Gen Parnaik (Retd) proposed launching a 'Zero Litter Itanagar Mission' backed by strict enforcement, public awareness campaigns, CCTV surveillance, spot fines and citizen-reporting mechanisms.
He also stressed the importance of achieving 100 per cent waste segregation at source, urging every household, institution, hotel, restaurant and market establishment to separate wet, dry and hazardous waste.
Advocating a plastic-free capital, the Governor called for eliminating single-use plastics and promoting the use of bamboo, cane and other eco-friendly alternatives available locally. To further enhance Itanagar's tourism appeal, Parnaik suggested developing tourist-friendly clean corridors from Hollongi Airport to major destinations, equipped with clean public toilets, proper signage, landscaping, street lighting and scientific waste disposal facilities.
Highlighting the importance of community participation, he recommended the formation of Ward Cleanliness Committees, School Green Brigades, youth volunteer groups and the active involvement of Self-Help Groups in maintaining cleanliness across the city. Expressing confidence in the proposed initiatives, the Governor said they would help position Itanagar among the cleanest state capitals in the Northeast, improve public health, enhance visitors' experience, generate tourism opportunities and contribute to the vision of Viksit Arunachal and Viksit Bharat @2047.
The Mayor briefed the Governor on various initiatives undertaken by the IMC to improve civic amenities, sanitation, waste management and public services across the Capital Complex. She also outlined the Corporation's ongoing efforts to strengthen urban infrastructure and create a cleaner, greener and more citizen-friendly capital.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honouring Mayor Tadar is well-deserved—she has been proactive about civic issues. But "Zero Litter Mission" sounds good on paper; the real challenge is implementation. We need more dustbins on the streets first, then awareness campaigns. Also, give the sanitation workers better wages and equipment; they are the backbone of this mission.
The emphasis on bamboo and cane alternatives to plastic is perfect for Arunachal! We have these resources in abundance. Instead of importing eco-friendly products, we can create local livelihoods. But we need the government to subsidise these alternatives so they are affordable for small vendors and shopkeepers.
CCTV surveillance and spot fines will only work if there is transparency. Otherwise, it becomes another avenue for harassment. I hope the IMC ensures the system is fair. Also, let's involve the local shopkeepers and market associations in the planning stage, not just as an afterthought. Their buy-in is crucial.
Good to see local leadership getting recognition. The School Green Brigades idea is fantastic—it instils civic sense from a young age. I've seen similar programs work successfully in cities like Indore. With the Governor's backing and the Mayor's execution, Itanagar could indeed set a benchmark for the Northeast. 🇮🇳
I wish the Governor had also addressed the issue of proper waste treatment plants. Segregation at source is great, but what happens to the waste after that? If it all ends up in the same landfill, the mission becomes symbolic. We need a clear plan for composting and recycling facilities.
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