Novel way of keeping Araku ghats clean

Vishakapatnam: Environmental campaigner Sohan Hatangadi had suggested a novel way of keeping the picturesque Araku ghat roads and other areas free of trash, particularly plastic bottles and bags, which are harmful for the ecosystem and wildlife.

"In 2015, when visiting Srisailam ghats, I witnessed a local boy strolling along the ghat road and picking up rubbish. When I inquired, he said the local forest office paid him ₹600 per day to clean up the roads of rubbish.

The boy had been given the charge of five kilometres of the ghat road, which he
traversed and cleaned each day,” recounts Sohan Hatangadi.

The same system is practised in Sabarimala ghats, where locals help forest authorities keep the roads clean. They are a group of 25 "eco-guards" from the indigenous tribe of Malampandaram.

Pathanamthitta district collector releases ₹25 lakh to pay remuneration
to tribal people who help keep the forest roadsides clean. The pay is set at ₹600
per day.

"The same measures can be taken by authorities to keep the ghats of Araku and beyond clean. It will be a great source of employment for residents as well as an incredible way of keeping the environment clean," Sohan Hatangadi added.