On the occasion of World Water Day 2019, Voice of Environment, a registered NGO has initiated a campaign for an eco-friendly, sustainable and plastic-free Umananda Island on River Brahmaputra in Guwahati of Assam.
The campaign launched on Sunday includes generating mass awareness to keep and build the heritage site a clean and sustainable eco-friendly premise.
Umanada has a fragile ecosystem. Being an eminent river island in mighty Brahmaputra it comprising a vast biodiversity of wide range of natural flora and fauna.
A rare species of Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) is found here which needs to protected & conserved. This beautiful smallest river island is a historic & cultural landscape for eco-tourism.
Thousands of devotees, visitors across the country and world visit the site for worshiping and to enjoy its beauty. But ignorant devotees and tourists carry plastic bags, beverage bottles other other plastic materials and leave them scattered which is a potential threat to the island ecosystem and it’s biodiversity.
It results waste generation in the island especially plastic waste which create a huge challenge for the temple committee and District administration for disposal.
Ultimately plastic waste drains into river Brahmaputra which creates vulnerability to the river dolphins in particular and other species.
On this occasion Team VoE initiated a mission to generate awareness among all visitors starting from Ferry Ghat at Uzan Bazar to island. This mission is being supported by Umananda Devalaya Parichalana Samiti, district administration of Kamrup Metro and Inland Water Services Government of Assam.
On Sunday the team also carried out a cleanliness drive along with interaction with visitors in Umanands.
Team VoE has assured that they will continue this campaign with temple authority and district administration and also sought support from all citizens for extending their helping hands to make the initiative successful.