SHILLONG: River Umshyrpri and River Wahumkhrah are the two rivers which flow right through the heart of the city, these two rivers at one point of time were the pride of Shillong due to its crystal clear water and beauty but over the years, the condition of the two rivers remain in doldrums even though many initiatives have been organized to save these two rivers.
The Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers have now turned into a drain due to encroachment. NGOs and civil societies were making hue and cry over the depleting condition of the river but all concerns have faded away with time. Many campaigns and awareness programmes have been organized but the rivers continue to remain neglected.
Despite intervention of civil societies and other agencies, the two rivers have remained in a sorry state of affair.
It is evident that discharging of solid waste and other effluents continues to flow into these two rivers which is making the situation worst with each passing day.
The KHADC, few years back had initiated a campaign to clean the rivers, but the programme failed to bring about any change to keep the rivers clean.
Speaking on the matter, KHADC CEM PM Syiem said that it is sad to see the sorry state of affairs of the rivers, informing that the rivers were under the concern of Syiem of Hima Mylliem and later it was handed over to KHADC for maintenance and cleanliness.
“Stating that some funds have been earmarked for cleaning of the rivers, he said that the KHADC also has plans to construct river guars which would prohibit people from throwing garbage into the river.
Stating that drain from different areas like police Bazar and Polo flows to the river, he added that there is a need for a fresh study and survey of the rivers to save it. We also need the co-operation from people, he added. The KHADC CEM also suggested a coordination committee should be formed including the headman of all the localities in and around the rivers for the protection of the rivers besides awareness programmes.
