VOLUNTEERS, including residents of Rumah Pangsa Taman Keramat, yesterday joined in a campaign called 'Love My Drain' to clean up drains leading to the Klang River.

The clean-up was organised by the Global Environment Centre (GEC) and the residents' association, supported by the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council and Yayasan Modal Insan Harta.

Resident coordinator Halim Said said: "Our community of 18 blocks is involved when it comes to the cleanliness of the neighborhood and we organise three events of this sort on our own every year.

"We anticipate close to 300 volunteers for today's programme.

"We are also using this time to clean the drains and other areas of our neighborhood.

"We should fill close to 400 bags of rubbish," said Halim. Resident Sidek Othman said: "It is always good when the community come together as one for the wellbeing of our homes.

"It's great to see that there are also organisations willing to help us."

He hoped the initiative would create a sense of responsibility among residents in his area and that more similar projects would happen in the future.

M. Jagedeswari, the programme officer for the GEC said the programme was also part of its River Care Programme, which has been doing clean up projects since 2004.

"The project aims to instill a sense of ownership of the Klang River among developers, restaurateurs, industries, students, local communities and the general public, because many of these drains lead directly to the river.

'We are also planning to do a follow-up campaign with the community and as well as other communities around the Klang Valley every two weeks."

She also said the GEC hopes that activities like this will help rekindle a relationship with nature, especially rivers which have always been essential for water and transportation and encourage the public to help care for the Klang River.