Drive to clean tourist spots gets under way

SHILLONG: It was an assorted assembly united by the mantra of cleanliness.
The Ri Bhoi district administration, including Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah, students, ex-ministers and individuals on Saturday joined hands to clean various tourist spots starting with the Umiam view point.
The Umiam view point, in the last few years, has become a hotspot for tourists, but the increase in footfall has seen a corresponding increase in the generation of garbage that stand out like a sore thumb with its disposal posing a serious challenge.
The group gathered at the Umiam view point and started the drive. Armed with broom sticks, bamboo baskets and machetes to clear the overgrown grasses, the clean and green army set off to complete the task.
Former Cabinet Minister Deborah C Marak, who was part of the group, said they are planning to clean all tourist spots to restore the culture of cleanliness.
She said that this will also be a good message across Meghalaya to work together for cleanliness.
Meanwhile, president of the Meghalaya Clean and Green  Environment, Joplin S Shylla, said that one cannot expect the government to clean everything.
“We are doing this for the future generation,” she said while adding that they would reach out across the state to get the support of the people.
It may be mentioned that with the growing threat of environmental degradation various organisations and students alike have taken the onus upon themselves and stream-cleaning or any other form of cleaning drive has now virtually turned into a weekly affair in Shillong.
The Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi RM Kurbah also joined in the cleaning drive.