SHILLONG:
A meeting on Rejuvenation and Restoration of the major rivers of Shillong — Umkhrah, Umshyrpi and Umkhen rivers, was held at Yojana Bhawan in Shillong on April 14 to identify the critical gaps and devise future action plan and the way forward in the rejuvenation and restoration of the three important rivers of Shillong.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister incharge of Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar, and members of Dorbar Shnongs and representatives from different civil bodies.
In his remarks, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that there needs to be a balance between ecology and economy adding that the government is committed to rejuvenation and restoration of all water bodies in the State.
Meghalaya Chief Secretary DP Wahlang informed that the basic focus of this meeting was on the collective responsibility of all stakeholders and the need to work together with an objective to clean up these rivers.
Stating that Umkhen river is one of the major source of water supply in the city, the chief secretary revealed that the problem was right from the source even as he admitted that some mining activity was going on around that area.
“We have given 45 days to the concerned party to take corrective measures,” Wahlang said.
Speaking about the Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers, Wahlang informed that the government has identified 32 areas – 20 along Umkhrah and 12 along Umshyrpi, where Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) need to be set up. “We have set up a few and are waiting for land in the remaining areas. We have asked the local dorbars to put up STPs as the direction of the NGT,” he added.
Terming the pollution level at Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers as severe, Wahlang said that cleaning the two rivers is a long-drawn process. “It will be time-consuming; we will set up core groups to monitor that action is taken in every locality,” he added.
The chief secretary also informed that a lot of activities will be taken up in the municipal areas under the AMRUT 2.0, adding that Rs 110 crore has been ringfenced as far as NGT is concerned to carry out cleaning activities in and around Shillong.
Meanwhile, stakeholders who attended the meeting have expressed their appreciation to the government for organising this first of its kind meeting and stressed the need to act on the suggestions given immediately.
“This is the first time I have seen such an elaborate presentation on rivers and this needs immediate and urgent attention. I hope that what was deliberated today is being followed up and maybe we can see something by the end of the year,” ex diplomat Rudi Warjri said.
Echoing similar views, prominent businessman and Managing Director of Jiva Hospitality of India Limited Jivat Vaswani said, “I feel every locality should have their own recovery centres to process and recycle the waste. This is the job of every locality; if everyone equally takes the responsibility, then we will be inching closer to our goal.”
Padma Shree awardee and editor of an English daily in Shillong Patricia Mukhim said, “It was a very positive meeting and I agree with the chief minister to stop the blame game and work with passivity. I think we should set a timeline to clean the rivers and ensure that they are kept clean. It is also imperative to have sub groups in localities to monitor each other.”