Dorbars to partner in the process
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has now all geared up to clean the Wah Umkhrah and thereby conserve one of Shillong’s well known rivers over which poets and lyricists waxed eloquent. Over the years this beautiful river has turned into drain. It is now burdened with the task of carrying sewerage releases into its streams by unscrupulous people who have no space even to construct a septic tank.
“Preparation of the guidelines for the programme which would look take steps to clean up the river and maintain that cleanliness by preventing the flow of wastes into the Wah Umkhrah is on in right earnest,” Chief Executive Member of the KHADC, PN Syiem, told The Shillong Times here on Saturday.
Footage of the current situation of the river has been recorded by the Council recently and the schedule for cleaning up the river is under process, sources informed.
It is expected that implementation of the said project will be started on March 24 following the laying of the foundation stone of this proposed scheme opposite to the Wahingdoh local Dorbar Shnong Community hall on March 23.
“The foundation stone is one of the formalities and the real work will begin only after active cooperation of the Dorbar Shnong and the people,” Syiem said.
The guidelines would dwell primarily on the parameters of how to protect the river while also elaborating on the activities which would not be allowed in areas close to the Wah Umkhrah.
Recently, the CEM informed that the Council is open to applications from any organisation be it the Government or NGOs to take up the project for cleaning of the river while maintaining that they would first have to take permission from the Council.
When asked if there was any response, Syiem said “Till date, they have not received any application from any organizations but the issue of cleaning the river has spread far and wide and has raised the concern of many including the youth of the city,” he said.
According to the scheme, Syiem said they would be allotting some amount of funds to the various Dorbar Shnong which are close to the Wah Umkhrah to enable them to take up measures for preventing the flow of garbage and sewage directly into the river.
It is learnt that the proposed funds for the scheme is through the 13th Finance Commission and around Rs 10 lakh has been earmarked in the first phase which would be distributed among the various local Dorbar Shnong.
“The main purpose for coming up with this schemes is to have a better working relationship with the local Dorbar Shnong of the various localities,” the CEM said.
It may be recalled that a proposed multi-project for cleaning up the Wahumkhrah is gathering dust at the Urban Affairs department despite the fact that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), had some years ago submitted its report about the deterioration of the river.
Recently several organisations, the Dorbar Shnong and the district administration under the aegis of ICARE have joined hands to start a long term programme of cleaning up the Wah Umkhrah.