Editor,
Our attention is drawn to reports appearing in a section of the media regarding pollution of the Wards’ Lake. We are ourselves deeply concerned about preserving the pristine water and surroundings of the Lake which is regularly visited by local citizens and tourists from all over and is a pride of our City and State. The reported death of fishes is also a grave matter. The press reports seem to suggest that the pollution is being partly caused by effluents emanating from the servants quarters of the Shillong Club Ltd. However it is clarified that no such effluents are flowing into the Lake. The findings of the Committee of officials of the Meghalaya Forest Department and Shillong Municipal Board which carried out a field inspection on 6.8.2010 clearly found that the waste water originated from the residential portion of the Shillong Club which is releasing sewage into the Ward’s Lake. Earlier the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Meghalaya had also clearly stated that there is regular discharge of sewage and waste water from the residential and hospitality area of the Club. Further, PCN has very recently captured the real state of affairs on video and telecast the same. It is evident that the effluents are flowing from the Residential Portion of the Shillong Club.
The management of the said Residential Portion was handed over to M/s H.K. Loungani & Co by the earlier Managing Committee of the Club and the present management has been pursuing H.K. Loungani & Co to immediately stop the discharge of effluents into the Lake. In view of their inaction in the matter, besides other violations, the Club management has even issued a Termination Notice to the Managing Agent. The reported claim of Mr. Raju Loungani that the pollution is not from the residential portion of the Club is quite shocking. We invite and request the concerned Government authorities and members of the media to inspect and verify the actual position and to take appropriate action in the matter to protect the Ward’s Lake.
Yours etc.,
Suresh P.Singh
Managing Director & Secretary,
The Shillong Club Ltd
World Water Day
Editor,
I fully support the ideas expressed by Phrang Roy and more so the optimism, in the context that the youth can play for the future. I also want to refer to the several readings, videos etc on Youtube about the drinking water scarcity paradox in Sohra (Cherrapunjee) given that it is the wettest place in the world. Have any measures to remedy the situation been undertaken? Among other things Sohra is also the nerve center of Khasi language, literature, culture , etc .
Yours etc.,
Rudi Warjri,
Bogota, Columbia
Social responsibility of the rich and powerful
Editor,
PCN cable network aired on the 18th March 2012 , the most disturbing images of beautiful Wards Lake being inundated with waste, filth and pollution from establishments within the Shillong Club compound. The Shillong Club is supposed to be an institution of social recreation for the elite of Shillong society. No one begrudges the privileges that club members enjoy which definitely are beyond the reach of the common man. The elite while enjoying such social advantages are however expected to be conscious and sensitive of the need of others. It’s called social responsibility. One such responsibility expected is a sensitivity towards the welfare of society at large. On the subject under discussion, sensitivity towards the fact that Wards Lake is a recreational area of the less privileged while at the same time being an important land mark of this Pine City.
As one watched the PCN pictures unfold it became increasingly evident that the Shillong Club discharge of waste into the lake was no accidental occurrence. It was instead a long term, deliberate and intentional act aimed solely towards the destruction of Wards Lake. Why, is not known. But perhaps to dry up the lake and then extend the commercial activities of Shillong Club over the dead body of the Lake. In the absence of any logical answer, its the best lay conclusion one can come to. Can Shillong allow this to happen?
The line of action taken by the Forest Department on the environmental felony committed on Wards Lake by Shillong Club are discouraging, insipid and totally unacceptable. The need of the hour is to stop the ongoing desecration of Wards Lake by the club. This cannot wait. It has to be done immediately. If the Shillong Club and its residential quarters are unable to abide by existing environmental laws and regulations; if after 100 years of existence the Management of the Club has been unaware and insensitive to the environmental needs of the city, then the Club has to be shut down until it can give such an undertaking. The interest of the city and its people must take precedence over the pleasure and financial interest of a privileged few. This the reason why so many of us are so upset over the proposal to build the Legislative Assembly on the other side of the lake. It will be another nail on Ward Lakes coffin. As a people we cannot allow money and its power to overshadow all other social requirements. Enough is enough. Please stop this nonsense at once.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
President ICARE.