Sangama clean-up drive removes over 1,000 kg of waste

More than 1,050 kg of waste was collected from the banks of the Cauvery between Mekedatu and Sangama in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday during a river clean-up drive that drew local volunteers and conservation groups.

Organisers and purpose

The initiative was organised by the Wildlife Association of South India, the Freshwaters India Foundation and the Karnataka Forest Department. It was held to mark National Wildlife Week (October 2–8) and align with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’s emphasis on community-led cleanliness efforts.

Volunteers and collaborating groups

Around 70 volunteers, along with members from the organising groups, joined the clean-up at Sangama, the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers. Participants from Paani.Earth and Singers Sans Borders also contributed to the exercise, adding to the collaborative effort that targeted litter along a stretch frequented by visitors.

Pollution concerns at a popular destination

Sangama is a well-known outing spot for tourists and families, and the sizeable volume of trash gathered during the drive underscored the scale of waste accumulation along the riverbanks, volunteers said. Following the clean-up, participants held an informal discussion on the growing prevalence of plastic waste in and around waterbodies.

Focus on reducing single-use plastics

The post-event interaction centred on practical steps to curb pollution at its source, including reducing the use of single-use plastics and adopting measures to minimise waste generation. Organisers and volunteers highlighted that sustained awareness and responsible visitor behaviour are essential to keeping river stretches within the sanctuary clean.

The drive’s outcomes, both in waste removed and in the conversations it prompted, reinforced the need for continued community participation in protecting the Cauvery and its tributaries.