Two tonnes plastics removed from Noyyal after Aadi Perukku'
As many as 50 volunteers gathered at 6 am and began cleaning the river at Perur and its surrounding areas in a day-long effort.
Coimbatore: Shortly after ‘Aadi Perukku’ festival on Friday, when hundreds of devotees had thronged the Noyyal river in Perur and made offerings to the water body as per traditional customs, a city-based NGO cleaned up the mess left behind by the festivities on Saturday and Sunday.
The NGO, ‘Kovai Kulangal Padhukaapu Amaippu’ took note that the river was polluted and without wasting any time swung into action to clean the water body today.
As many as 50 volunteers gathered at 6 am and began cleaning the river at Perur and its surrounding areas in a day-long effort.
“As many as 50,000 people visited the place on the stated auspicious day and made a variety of offerings that included a mix of plastic, apparels, food delicacies among others. A few of them even left food items in the area that surrounds the water body and also along the flight of stairs that ends in the river. It is painful to see that food prepared at home was left in the open and run over by vehicles,” says the NGO organiser R Manikandan
The team of volunteers who were involved in the clean-up activity removed two tonnes of plastics, several items and accessories used in performing rituals, besides two tonnes of leftover food.
Another set of volunteers revisited the same location on Sunday to clear the garbage. The public was also sensitized to perform rituals responsibly. “The following week when ‘Aadi Ammavasai’ is observed, we hope devotees do not pollute the waterbody. Additionally, it would be nice if the panchayat lends a helping hand.” Manikandan said.