CoE directs water resources dept to clean highly polluted rivers

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 26, 2019

SHILLONG: The state Assembly’s Committee on Environment (CoE) has asked the water resources department to include in the State Water Policy on the need to clean the rivers, which are highly polluted. 

After a meeting held with the officials of the water resources department here on Wednesday, member of the CoE and Mawsynram MLA Himalaya Shangpliang told reporters that the Committee has made few recommendations which include cleaning of rivers in the water policy, which is going to be implemented very soon. 

He said this is in view of the fact that many rivers like Wahumkhrah, Umsyrpi and Wah Lukha are highly polluted. 

“We have asked the department to come up with a concept plan as to how they want to go about cleaning the rivers particularly Umiam lake, which is facing the danger of siltation and pollution and also to come up with action plan to clean Wah Lukha River which is highly polluted in Jaintia Hills.” 

Asked whether the cement factories have complied with the NGT orders for setting up of effluent treatment plants (ETPs) to prevent river pollution, Shangpliang said in papers, everything seems to be alright but we need to verify on the ground. 

“Therefore, we have decided to soon conduct an inspection to the different industrial areas in Byrnihat, Umiam and Jaintia Hills to see how they are discharging their wastes and whether ETPs are there or not,” he said while informing that after the inspection, the committee will hold a meeting with the commerce and industries department. 

Earlier, chairperson of the committee SK Sunn also informed that the CoE has asked the PHE and forest departments to immediately declare Mawphlang reservoir as a national wetland.