Pollution Control Board blames coal mining for death of fishes
SHILLONG: Despite conducting tests, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) is still in the dark on the actual reason leading to the annual blue hue of the Lukha and Lunar rivers in Jaintia Hills, even though the Board has given a virtual clean chit to cement plants and sand mining in the area, stating that they are not responsible for the blue colouration.
Senior Scientist, MSPCB, Dr. B. Nongbri informed The Shillong Times on Monday that limited data has kept the MSPCB from unearthing facts relating to the discoloration and in this connection an in-depth study covering aspects which include geological, chemistry of area, fate of chemical substances in aquatic environment will be carried out by the Board to determine the environmental hazard.
On the reason behind the change of colour every winter, she informed that no real cause has been determined as there are limited data preventing the Board from arriving at logical conclusions. “The limited data is based on physical, biological and chemical parameters, currently we cannot form any conclusion as to the discoloration,” Dr. Nongbri said.
She pointed out that effluents from cement and sand mining industries are not factors that contribute to the discoloration of the river and added that the acidic content based on the findings of the pH level of the water is due to coal mining activities which have affected the quality of water risking lives as a whole.
“The rivers usually turn blue from the month of November-March while in the monsoons the blue color is diluted,” she added.
She, however, mentioned that the cause of death of scores of fishes cannot be ascertained but the acidity content of the river is proof that no living being can survive in such conditions.
She further disclosed that MSPCB is looking forward to setting up permanent stations at Sonapur and Myndihati to monitor the Lukha and Luna rivers as part of the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWQMP) under the sponsorship of the Central Pollution Control Board.
Discoloration of the Lukha river originating from Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary in Jaintia Hills can be traced back to 2007 where the bluish colour may be pleasing to the eye, but still an enigma to scientists and locals alike as the discoloration signifies environmental issue that needs immediate attention prompting the officials of MSPCB to visit the site for investigation in November last year.