Murder of River Myntdu Going On Despite Repeated Protests: KYKWM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 21, 2021

Residents of Jowai and nearby areas have once again raised their voices against the dumping of soil and debris into the Myntdu river by M/s Dhar Construction Company of Ngaitlang Dhar that is currently carrying out works on the expansion of National Highway NH40E along the Amlarem-Jowai road. The Khooid Ya Ka Wah Myntdu, an organisation committed to the conservation of the River Myntdu is at the forefront in these protests and has repeatedly met with concerned authorities and the District Administration of West Jaintia Hills to raise concerns regarding the effect of the illegal dumping of soil and debris into the river. The President of the organisation Khroo Lamsalanki Pariat stated that M/s Dhar Construction has dishonoured the spirit and commitment of the Joint Inspection of the Site held on the 16/06/2021 by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner WJH District, the Office of the Executive Engineer PWD (Roads) Jowai Central Division and the Khooid Ya Ka Wah Myntdu.

It must be noted that the Deputy Commissioner of WJH District on March this year had promulgated Section 144 of the CrPC along the Myntdu river prohibiting activities such as washing of vehicles, clothes, dumping of wastes and collecting stones and sand from the river.

Pariat said that the company has violated the government order by letting debris and soil flow into the river which not only harms and kills the aquatic life in the river but also pose a threat to the life of the residents, as the Jowai drinking water reservoir dam at Mupiah and the water downstream are being affected. This has been confirmed by the Water Analysis carried out by the Office of the Executive Engineer, PHE (Electrical) Jowai Division last month on the 17th July 2021 which reported a very high level of turbidity in the river water as well as the treated water of the reservoir.

The permissible levels for turbidity of water is between 1 to 5 NTU units but the water analysis of the samples taken from the river and water reservoir show a turbidity level of 72 and 80 NTU units respectively.

Pariat further stated that the aforesaid construction company carrying out the widening of the road has despite repeated protests is continually disposing of the excess earth, mud and other waste materials into the catchment areas of the river Myntdu. This, he said not only pollutes the river but destroys the aquatic life of the river besides increasing the sedimentation of the riverbed.

This will damage the ecology of the area and also lead to water scarcity among the residents of Jowai and nearby villages in the coming winter season. It is a known fact that increasing levels of turbidity reduces the availability of oxygen to aquatic life and sedimentation of riverbeds can change the course of a river and reduce water availability which in turn affects the ecology of the river system. The Khooid Ya Ka Wah Myntdu is contemplating to intensify its protests against the illegal and criminal environment offences of the construction company and will not rest till corrective and punitive action is taken.