River pollution: KHNAM youth wing submits memo to CM

A  Reporter

SHILLONG, April 19:  The State Youth Wing (SYW) of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, concerning pollution of Wahumkhrah and Umshipi rivers.

The Umkhrah and  Umshipi rivers have been the topic of discussions during the on-going budget session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

“Many have expressed concern over the condition of the rivers. We all know that many factors are responsible for polluting the rivers. If the government doesn’t take any immediate actions, then these rivers will turn into a drain of garbage in the coming years,” KHNAM SYW president Thomas Passah said.

He said, “India is rich in culture and religious festivals are organized every year. However, the idols are immerged into the rivers after the festival. Mostly, these idols are made of plaster of paris, clay, cloths, small Iron rods, bamboo and decorated with different paints such as varnish, water colours etc. which pollute the water after immersion.” According to him, the Meghalaya State Pollution Board  should conduct tests to assess the quality of water of the rivers before and after the immersion of idols.  He said both the Umkhrah and Umshipi rivers in the city are used for immersion of idols every year during festivals, which leads to the rise in the level of water pollution.  Immersion of idols into these rivers needs to be controlled immediately and an alternate plan should be incorporated by the authority concerned.

The KHNAM leaders also said the State government should act before it’s too late to save the rivers