The Delhi-based Trinity Impex International (TII), an expert consultant entrusted with the rejuvenation of Lukha River in East Jaiñtia Hills district, has successfully completed its rejuvenation programme at Kyrhuh Khla near Ladrymbai by pass.
Scientists from the TII began their works three months back and are now ready to take off their algae-based cure to clean Lukha River at Sonapyrdi.
TII Director, Dr. Sapan Anand has expressed possibilities that Lukha can be purified through the process and informed that after thorough research they found that the algae cure is quite effective to clean water bodies.
Informing that there are more than 27000 types of algae and their different types can be used for different purposes, he informed that the scientist has taken samples and studied the entire river stretch from Mookynpad-1, Mookynpad-2 till Sonapur and are positive that there are possibilities that the river can be purified.
“We have started this project with the construction of check dams with a capacity of holding 4 lakh liters of water as the pilot project to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algae before the process is used to clean the entire river system,” he said.
Informing that they have submitted the report to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, TII Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Sukh Dev Singh, said that the river system from Mookynpad that is yellowish get mixed with various metal and compound as it flows down streams and by the time it reaches Lukha river, it turns blue which is the reflection of all the metals and compounds that does not get diluted during the winters when the river system is small.
It may be mentioned that algae treatment was contemplated by the State government to improve the water quality in East Jaiñtia Hills afflicted by acid mine drainage.
The NGT had also viewed that if treatment is successful, it will help neutralise the acid mine drainage in rivers and streams in the areas affected by coal mining in Meghalaya.
At Lukha River, the State government has earmarked Rs 2.5 crore for its rejuvenation to be executed by the TII. It is believed that algae solution is the only way to treat the acidic water and restore aquatic life in the river.
