Illegal dumping of coal threatens Malidor River

JOWAI: Malidor, a major river on the border of Assam at Ratacherra is under threat due to dumping of unloaded coal by the weighbridge staff posted in the area.
Unloading of excess coal from trucks carrying the mineral beyond the permissible limit by the staff of the weighbridge which is near the Malidor River has adversely affected the water body and its tributaries. Even cultivable lands have not been spared from the ill-effects of dumping of coal in the area.
To add to it, many truckers too unload excess coal along the roadside right from Rattacherra till the weighbridge.
“We need to protect the environment and we don’t want to see our streams and rivers getting polluted due to dumping of coal dumping,” Rattacherra headman, Khamsngur Pohiing said adding that the Dorbar Shnong has lodged a complaint in this regard with the West Jaintia Hills District Administration.
“We requested all concerned authorities like the District Administration, the Transport department and the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board to ensure that the dumping of coal does not contaminate streams, particularly the Malidor river and the environment in the area,” he added.