Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Arakan State’s Ramree Township have mobilised local residents to dredge the Tan Creek, which flows through the town.

The creek has become shallower year by year due to reckless dumping into its waters, residents say.

Local CSOs are therefore dredging the creek with financial assistance from donors, said Ko Tun Naing, an organiser of the effort.

“[The creek] is linked to the town’s drainage, and it has become shallower as people dump rubbish in the creek. So, we are dredging the creek on our own,” he said.

The dredging of the creek is the first known effort of its kind, and it is important that people do not dump garbage into the creek going forward, according to Ramree resident Ko Aung Htein.

“There are trash cans, but there are not enough, and people simply dump their garbage into the creek. So, the creek is being dredged. And it is important that people do not dump their garbage into the creek again,” he said.

More funds are needed to continue dredging the creek, according to organisers.