The Kynshi River is no longer what it used to be, with pollution contaminating what was once an attractive river.
This was stated by the Ranikor circle of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) at a press conference here today just two days before the Ranikor Beach Festival is set to begin.
Addressing reporters, KSU leader M Thongngi said that the Kynshi River has changed colour and the contamination has killed off aquatic life. People coming into contact with the water now complain of skin rashes and other ailments, he claimed.
Ranikor is known for the collection of sand along the river, making it a “beach”. The Ranikor Beach Festival is all set to be held on January 19 and 20 at the Pamdaba beach.
The KSU has taken its concerns about the water quality to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board in the past but the latter has not issued any warnings.
“We are more concerned after seeing that the beach festival is again scheduled this year and we want to alert the people about this river that has turned poisonous,” Thongngi added.
He also suspects that the many cancer cases reported in the region are because of such contamination.
“We cannot say what is the root cause for pollution of this river but we want the government to come clean on the status of the river for the safety of all,” the KSU leader added.
