Jowai, Feb 24: A joint committee formed under the directive of the National Green Tribunal (Principal bench) to verify pollution status of the Myntdu River in West Jaintia Hills, began its ground work.
The inspection began yesterday from the area near the Tyrshi Fall, streams, agricultural land, Pamblah, parts of Mynkrem river and the Treïongriang bridge as well as in areas where construction debris were dumped.
The committee is tasked to undertake requisite visits to the sites in question, look into the grievances of the applicant, associate the applicant and representative of the concerned project proponents, verify the factual position and take/suggest appropriate remedial action by following due course of law and submit its report with requisite details regarding action already taken and action to be taken with timelines for execution/completion and compliance status in respect of compliance with the environmental norms and contractual obligations by PWD and executing agencies.
Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary and Nodal Officer Dr. G.H Chyrmang, Abhay Kumar, CWES General Secretary Brahmaputra Board, CEO of the Jowai Municipal Board D.V. Lyngdoh, officials from the Public Works Department, Water Resources Department and others were part of the inspection team.
Chyrmang said the committee will prepare a report and submit to the NGT during its next hearing on March 11, 2026.
Khroo Lamsalanki Pariat, who has been campaigning to keep the Myntdu River, an important water source for Jowai and the rest of West Jaintia Hills, clean also witnessed the inspection.
In 2024 he accused the Dhar Construction Company, who were the contractors, and the state government for dumping spoil from the Dawki-Amlarem-Jowai Road project into the Myntdu River, which polluted it, filled the Mupiah reservoir with mud and hit the livelihoods of farmers and others in the process.
