A Cauvery clean-up drive at Sangama in Karnataka’s Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary removed more than 1,050 kg of waste from the riverbanks between Mekedatu and Sangama on Sunday, highlighting the scale of plastic and other discarded material at a popular visitor destination.
The drive was organised by the Wildlife Association of South India, Freshwaters India Foundation and the Karnataka Forest Department as part of National Wildlife Week, observed from October 2 to 8, and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. Around 70 volunteers, along with members of the organising groups, took part in the operation.
The clean-up was held at Sangama, where the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers meet. The location is visited by tourists and families, making the riverbank both an ecological site and a public recreational space. Members of Paani.Earth and Singers Sans Borders also contributed to the drive.
The quantity of waste collected was reported by volunteers as an indication of the pollution affecting waterbodies in the area. The material was gathered from the banks along the stretch between Mekedatu and Sangama, though the report did not provide a breakdown by type of waste or details of its subsequent disposal.
The event also brought attention to the operational challenge of protecting riverfront areas that attract regular visitors. While the clean-up removed accumulated waste, participants said the prevalence of plastic pointed to the need to reduce the use of single-use plastics and minimise waste at source.
An informal interaction was held after the clean-up, during which participants discussed plastic waste and measures to reduce waste generation. The discussion focused on preventing discarded material from reaching waterbodies rather than relying only on periodic clean-up exercises.
The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, which includes the Sangama and Mekedatu areas, is managed by the Karnataka Forest Department. The report did not specify whether the participating organisations or authorities have announced a schedule for further clean-up drives, additional waste collection infrastructure or long-term monitoring of waste at the site.
