Rajahmundry: An awareness drive was held on Tuesday for the benefit of students under the aegis of AP National Green Corps (NCG) on 'Swachhta Godavari' at Kotlingala Ghat.
People were advised to ensure that Godavari river remains free of pollution for which discharge of domestic sewage and industrial effluents into it needs to be halted. It was stressed that if these were not taken immediately, it might lead to disaster. Water from the severely polluted river could no longer be used for drinking or for irrigation purposes, they were warned.
Students from several high schools took part in the programme. Speaking on the occasion, MLC Adireddy Appa Rao said that sewage from houses located along the course of Godavari river in villages and towns was polluted the water and raised concern over loss of aquatic life due to pollution. He appreciated the NGC for taking up such awareness programme on river water pollution and called upon people to grow plants so that they could give sufficient oxygen for people to live.
Mayor Pantham Rajani Sesha Sai laid stress on the role of people in protecting the river from getting polluted. She said that they were implementing a series of programmes for the benefit of people in the city and added that the city was declared poster free, flexi-banners free and open-defecation free. She asked students to raise nutri-gardens, herbal garden and raise plants which give shade.
AP National Green Corpse officer G. Satyanaryana stated that they had set up eco-clubs in all 13 districts in the state and added that they were taking up a programme to raise plants in a big way.
