In Laviano, in the Upper Sele Valley, an environmental cleanup operation took place in the canyon formed by the Temete stream, promoted by Legambiente in collaboration with the Italian Canyoning Association, the Municipality, and other local entities.
During the operation, part of the sixth national preview of Clean Up the World in Campania, volunteers collected more than 20 bags of abandoned waste, including large oil containers, metal mesh, various iron items, bottles, sanitary napkins, ceramic plates, an old mill wheel, and truck and tractor tires.
The unique nature of the project was the terrain: to reach the most inaccessible points of the canyon, professional equipment and specific canyoning skills were required, following the watercourse. The recovered mill wheel will be displayed in the town hall as a symbol of the cleanup day.
The initiative also had an educational and cultural value, underlining the importance of protecting river environments and waterways, since abandoned waste can be transported downstream, reaching rivers, lakes and seas, with negative consequences for ecosystems and biodiversity.
Legambiente representatives emphasized that the greatest challenge remains preventing waste disposal, as no place, even the most remote, can be considered a landfill. The involvement of the Italian Canyoning Association has allowed for safe operations in a complex and fragile environment, thus enhancing a natural heritage that belongs to the community.
Furthermore, it was noted that torrential environments represent unique ecosystems, rich in biodiversity and specific microclimates, which require respect and active protection. Cleaning up these places means not only ridding the land of waste, but also promoting a cultural and environmental awareness that is essential for the future.
