The Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) has called on the Arunachal Pradesh government to enact a specific Arunachal Pradesh River Protection Act in order to address the increasing threats to the state’s rivers. Chief Minister Pema Khandu and a YMCR team headed by Chairman S D Loda met at the state secretariat here on Monday to discuss the proposal. YMCR emphasized the need for extensive legal and administrative actions, citing growing concerns over pollution, disturbance of natural flow patterns, and unlawful riverbed exploitation. Inspired by successful models used in other Indian states, the group, which works to protect and conserve rivers, suggested that the new legislation clearly specify community obligations and enforcement methods.
In order to monitor river health, ensure that regulations are enforced, coordinate restoration activities, and carry out ongoing public education campaigns, YMCR recommended that the environment or water resources department establish a specialized department or cell. This new body might be used to augment the recently established Arunachal Pradesh Flood Plain Zoning Act, 2025, the organization said. The group also suggested holding a state-level conference on environmental protection and establishing an annual Arunachal River Day to raise public awareness and encourage broader participation. The group also asked Khandu to be the YMCR’s chief patron, pointing out that his backing would encourage more young people to get involved in river conservation initiatives.
The YMCR team received praise from the chief minister for their advocacy and proactive work. “Talking with the enthusiastic Youth Mission for Clean River members was motivating. In a subsequent social media post, he stated, “These young people are dedicated to promoting policy change to protect our state’s natural resources in addition to taking direct action through community education and river clean-ups.” Khandu urged everyone to become involved in preserving the state’s rivers and reaffirmed his unwavering support for YMCR’s objective.
