The West Jaintia Hills District Magistrate has re-issued an order restricting any activities that will further pollute the Myntdu River in West Jaiñtia Hills district.
The order passed under Section 163 of the BNSS said that with the upcoming onset of monsoon season there is a significant risk of soil erosion and deposition of debris into the river and its tributaries, potentially causing environmental degradation, obstruction of water flow and harm to aquatic life.
With a ban on sand mining and stone quarries along the river bed, washing of clothes and vehicles, dumping of spoils and waste materials, both solid and liquid, as well as waste/muck from road construction into the river, the fresh order prohibits dumping of waste including diapers and sanitary pads into the river.
The order said illegal mining activities along the river bed of the Myntdu river have contributed to the significant pollution of the river, which has resulted in the contamination of the water supply of the entire town of Jowai, endangering public health, aquatic life, and the environment.
