City girl leads waste management movement in Arunachal valley
Guwahati: In the remote eastern Himalayas, Sangti Valley in Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng district is witnessing a quiet yet profound transformation spearheaded by 32-year-old Guwahati resident
Ittisha Sarah
.
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Working independently, Sarah has been integrating traditional wisdom with modern waste management techniques to promote sustainability in the region.
Home to the indigenous Monpa tribe, whose way of life revolves around agriculture and tourism, the community follows age-old environmental practices deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions. Inspired by these customs, Sarah has incorporated the tribe's beliefs into her waste management initiative, aligning clean-up efforts with the lunar calendar.
Sarah said the Monpas observe five sacred days each month — on the 8th, 10th, 15th, 25th, and 30th — marked by prayers and mindful living. "The Monpas believe that no sinful or harmful activities should take place during these days. So, I dedicate three of them to cleaning and segregation, making it a symbolic and sacred act rather than just a chore," she said.
On the 8th, 15th (full moon), and 30th (new moon) of each lunar cycle, Sarah and local villagers join forces to clean the community.
Waste collected during these days is sent to a temporary material recovery facility, where it is segregated and sold to scrap dealers. Proceeds are distributed among female self-help groups, supporting their families while reinforcing sustainability.
She has conducted numerous clean-up drives, workshops, and awareness campaigns across the valley, engaging schoolchildren, elders, and women's groups. Her deep understanding of tribal customs and commitment to grassroots engagement have earned the villagers' trust.
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Despite limited financial support, her initiative has led to the collection of 108 tonnes of garbage since 2020. However, without institutional backing, she has shouldered much of the work herself. With proper government assistance, Sarah believes her model could be replicated in other hilly regions grappling with waste management challenges.
Sangti Valley faces growing waste issues due to increased tourism and packaged goods, yet lacks a formal disposal system.
Sarah and the villagers work together to separate biodegradable from non-biodegradable waste while creatively repurposing plastics.
Recalling her journey, Sarah said she first discovered the valley while working as a tour instructor for Assam schoolchildren, following her social design course at Delhi's Ambedkar University. Two years later, that experience evolved into a full-fledged mission — one that continues to reshape how the community approaches sustainability.
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