Dharwad: Braving the cold weather, more than 100 students of government college, NSS unit and members of local organisations thronged the century-old Kelgeri tank site on Saturday to launch their tank cleanliness drive.

The drive was aimed to protect the tank water from contamination and create awareness among the general public not to dump waste materials into the tank.

The drive was jointly organised by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Hubballi-Dharwad Nagarika Parisara Samiti, NSS Unit, Nirat Seva Society and Government PU College near R N Shetty stadium. The cleanliness drive began at 8 am am and continued till noon. The volunteers collected plastic bags and waste materials dumped in the tank bed and also plucked unwanted creepers which was proving hazardous for the aquatic life.

KSPCB Regional Officer Vijaykumar Khadakbhavi said, people have to conserve the water bodies from getting polluted. Kelgeri tank has been developed by spending crores of rupees. Water crisis is going to loom large in the coming days and hence it is vital for the people to protect the tanks.

He asked the people to join hands with the local organisation working towards environment protection and also the KSPCB and conserve the water bodies.

Environmentalist Shankar Kumbi hailed the students for voluntarily taking up the cleanliness drive and setting example for others.

He said, this tank was constructed by Sir M Visveswaraya in 1911 and has been a lifeline to several farmers in Kelgeri village. The district administration and the HDMC should plant fruit trees and flowering plants so that migratory birds could be attracted and a small bird sanctuary could be setup in the region.