Two of the major rivers of Shillong, the Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi are among the top 45 most polluted rivers in the country and the state government is studying ways to clean them up as part of its search for a balance between ecology and economy.
In this regard, a meeting on rejuvenating and restoring the city’s rivers was held today at the Secretariat attended by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, cabinet minister AL Hek, Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang, senior civil servants, representatives of Dorbar Shnongs and civil society groups.
Wahlang informed that Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi are among the 45 most polluted rivers of the country, as listed by National Green Tribunal (NGT). He called upon the active participation of the community and different stakeholders in awareness and mobilisation.
In his remarks, Sangma said that the objective of the meeting was to identify the critical gaps and devise future action plans and the way forward in the rejuvenation and restoration of the three important rivers (the other being the Umkhen) of Shillong while soliciting the participation and suggestions of the Dorbar Shnongs and the communities.
The CM said that there needs to be a balance between ecology and economy, adding, “The meeting that we are having today is a part of the larger agenda of the state government to have a balance among livelihood, economy and environment so that while the economic needs are being taken care of, the environment is also protected and conserved for future generations.”
He also said that the government is committed to improving the condition of all water bodies in Meghalaya and highlighted certain programmes that the government has been undertaking in areas such as climate change mitigation, sewage and waste management, phasing out of single use plastic, mitigating air pollution through use of electric vehicles and afforestation, community participation through awareness and involvement of students and youth.
