February 15, 2026 : A river cleanliness drive was carried out today at the Heirok-Wangjing River under Heirok Part-I by the Palem Panthou Village Level Federation (VLF) in collaboration with EcoNetwork Manipur, with a strong appeal to the public to stop dumping waste into rivers.
The drive was jointly organised by Palem Panthou VLF, formed under the Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM), and EcoNetwork Manipur as part of their continued efforts to promote environmental protection and sustainable water use.
Speaking on the occasion, President of EcoNetwork Manipur, Shinthangamba Laishram, expressed concern over the alarming condition of the river, stating that large quantities of household waste and other discarded materials are being directly thrown into the river from nearby localities.
He pointed out that such irresponsible dumping has led to severe water pollution, making the water unsafe for domestic use and threatening aquatic life.
He further stressed that clean water is essential for a healthy society and urged residents to refrain from throwing garbage into rivers. He appealed to households to store waste properly and cooperate with door-to-door waste collection services instead of disposing of waste into water bodies.
Palem Panthou VLF members, including EC Member Pakpi Laishram, also highlighted that the accumulation of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste in the river has worsened over time.
They called upon the public to take collective responsibility in maintaining river hygiene and preventing further environmental degradation.
The organisers stated that river conservation is not the sole responsibility of a few organisations but a shared duty of the entire community. They urged citizens to remain mindful and ensure that waste materials are not dumped into rivers so that clean and safe water can be preserved for future generations.
