Over 500 Yuva Brigade members on Sunday cleaned up the Nethravathi river that flows near Dharmasthala.
Under the guidance of Yuva Brigade leader Chakravarthi Soolibele, the volunteers cleaned the river and ended up clearing a load of debris including clothes.
Starting at the crack of dawn, the volunteers descended on the banks of the river clearing up waste – coconuts, clothes left behind by devotees after a bath in the river, photos of gods and goddess, soaps, mirrors, combs, tooth brushes, sandals and toys and other waste – callously thrown into the river.
“In the name of various rituals, we are polluting river Nethravathi. With the blessings of Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade, we are taking up cleanliness drive,” the volunteers said and called upon the devotees not to pollute the river.
‘Happy to clean’
Chandrashekar from Hosapete, sharing his experience of the cleanliness drive, said that such work has given him happiness. “Along with the conservation of nature, it is our responsibility to conserve water. Such work should guide and motivate future generation,” he opined.
Yuva Brigade volunteer Sharath said that many throw clothes, coconuts to the river. “The priests should guide the devotees and prevent them from polluting the river,” he suggested.
Yuva Brigade convener Chandrashekar said the Brigade has been cleaning the rivers and ‘kalyanis’ (temple ponds) in different parts of the state. As a result, the dried up water bodies have been revived. A total of 3,000 volunteers are taking part in the campaign across the state, he stated.
‘Protecting sanctity’
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade said the government should ban washing clothes in rivers especially near the places of worship.
Lauding the efforts of the Yuva Brigade, he urged the devotees to protect the sanctity of the river. There is a need to create awareness among school and college students, NSS volunteers and NCC cadets on maintaining hygiene of the river, he added.