JOWAI: Syntu Ksiar – a tourist attraction and a picnic spot in Jowai – has turned a garbage dump with heaps of liquor bottles collected at the spot posing a threat to the beauty of the scenic spot.
Syntu Ksiar is also the site of a monument of U Kiang Nangbah, the famed freedom fighter from Jaintia Hills, popularly referred to as ‘U Khla Wait ki Pnar’ but the place is now being treated as a garbage dumping ground full of plastics wastes, liquor bottles, broken wines bottles and other non-degradable materials.
Concerned over the desecration of the Syntu Ksiar and the river Myntdu that flows near Jowai town, the Jaintia Journalists’ Association (JJA) on Saturday organised a cleaning drive.
The Jaintia Tourism and Environment Society (JTES) and the Panaliar Dorbar Shnong also actively participated in the cleaning drive. Volunteers collected and disposed off a large quantity of wine bottles and other non-degradable material such as plastic bags, plastic bottles, etc.
“This place is very important not only for the local people but also for other people from various part of the State and outside. People visit the place to enjoy the fresh air, picturesque landscape and many come here for fishing, and it is necessary is to maintain the cleanliness,” JJA president C.H. Passah said.
“This is the place where U Kiang Nangbah was chosen as a leader to fight against the British Empire and it has attracted many tourists from various parts of the country and if cleanliness is not maintained, it will only bring shame to all of us,” remarked JTES president Philemon Lyngdoh.
General secretary of Panaliar Dorbar Shnong, Careme Phawa, informed that the Dorbar Shnong had, from time to time, taken up the matter in the Dorbar Shnong.
“This place is a short distance from the residential areas under the jurisdiction of Panaliar, Jowai. The Dorbar Shnong has erected signboards all around the place to warn people against resorting to any illegal activities such as drinking and others; but despite all these attempts, the response has been dismal,” Phawa said, adding that the matter will be discussed again in the Dorbar Shnong so that necessary steps can be taken to maintain the beauty of the place.
The garbage collected during the cleaning drive was later disposed off with the help of the Jowai Municipal Board.