Pangin Village Declared ‘Clean Model Village’ in Arunachal’s Siang District

Itanagar, April 28 — In a remarkable achievement for grassroots development, Arunachal Pradesh’s Pangin village was officially declared a Clean Model Village (CMV) under Siang district’s ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ initiative on Sunday. This marks the third village in the district to receive such an honor, after Pagak (Kaying Circle) and Lokpeng (Pangin Circle).

The inauguration ceremony was held with much fanfare and was graced by Ojing Tasing, Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, as the chief guest. Oken Tayeng, MLA of 39-Mebo Assembly Constituency, attended as the guest of honour.

The journey to Pangin’s transformation began in January 2025, under the leadership of Pangin Circle Officer Niyang Pertin, with crucial backing from Deputy Commissioner PN Thungon and ADC Gamtum Padu. Focused on achieving sustainable, community-owned progress, the team adopted a bottom-up strategy, making villagers the primary drivers of change.

“A clean village is not just about sanitation—it’s a symbol of collective responsibility, pride, and progress,” Minister Tasing emphasized during the event. As part of the celebrations, a special song commemorating Pangin’s cultural heritage and its clean village status was also released.

A Village Development Committee was instituted to formalize the movement, with Tadi Panor appointed as its president. The committee, comprising gram panchayat members, gaon burahs (village elders), and youth groups, played a key role in mobilizing the community.

The transformation was driven by wide-ranging initiatives, including awareness campaigns, voluntary donation drives, and mobilization efforts, fostering a strong sense of ownership among the villagers.

Significantly, the success of Pangin’s clean village status lay in the effective convergence of government schemes:

• MGNREGA funds were utilized for repairing and dredging PMGSY drains.
• Panchayat SOR funds financed the installation of decorative street lights and iron dustbin stands.
• The Sports Department contributed by establishing an open-air gym.
• The Forest Department collaborated on an avenue plantation drive, boosting the local ecology.

Further beautification efforts transformed Pangin into a potential tourism hotspot, with projects like the revival of the Ruteng stream, development of an artificial lake, construction of bamboo bridges, tree houses, walking trails, and vibrant artistic work on the village’s welcome gate.

Lauding the villagers, Minister Tasing said, “Pangin today stands as a mirror of cleanliness and community spirit for the entire Siang district. Cleanliness is not merely a task, but a way of life.”

Highlighting the adventure tourism potential of Siang district, MLA Tayeng encouraged the youth to explore self-reliance opportunities through rafting, angling, trekking, and homestays. Proper training, he noted, could transform Siang into a vibrant tourism hub.

Pangin’s journey stands as a model for rural development, showcasing how community participation and smart use of government support can redefine the future of India’s villages.