Meghalaya: Urban Affairs Department responsible for cleaning Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers, says Environment Minister
Sangma said that the concern of the Environment and Forest Ministry is to protect the catchment areas of these rivers, whereas the responsibility of cleaning both the rivers is mandated by the Urban Affairs Department.
SHILLONG:
Environment and Forests Minister James Sangma has informed that rejuvenating Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers fall within the purview of the Urban Affairs Department.
Sangma said that the concern of the Environment and Forest Ministry is to protect the catchment areas of these rivers, whereas the responsibility of cleaning both the rivers is mandated by the Urban Affairs Department.
"Since the rivers pass through urban areas, the department can take up measures to clean them, rather than leaving it to the environment ministry to clean them", Sangma said. He added that the ministry does not have the mandate in this regard, but the matter on who is responsible for cleaning the rivers has brought about confusion.
"We are very much concerned about the rivers being polluted, and, therefore, we will take all possible steps to ensure they are free from pollutants," Sangma said.
Sangma cited the example of the Lukha river in East Jaiñtia Hills, and informed that similar steps are being taken to save water bodies and rivers in the state. "We had this pilot project implemented at Lukha river, and we have seen the success in terms of the phycoremediation using algae to improve the pH level of Lukha river".
The process to rejuvenate key rivers has reportedly begun.
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