TURA: The Centre for Environment Protection and Rural Development (CEPARD) on Tuesday raised alarm over the danger posed by the Jinjiram and its confluence Ringgi river, which flow through the plain belt areas of West Garo Hills.
Activist Samgar Sangma, associated with CEPARD raised concern over the fact that the onset of monsoon would create turbulence and flash floods, which will endanger human life in Phulbari and its adjoining areas.
Pointing out that the changing course of the Ringgi river towards the Shyamnagar valley was a major concern for the population of Phulbari area, the NGO sought government attention to mitigate climate change measures.
“The rise in the water level of Brahmaputra and Jinjiram will pose detrimental threat in the year ahead, if concrete steps are not taken,” it said.
The organisation, which has carried out a survey, revealed that the downstream of Ganol river, near Damalgre village in the outskirts of Tura has changed its course due to excessive and unscientific methods of sand mining and extraction of mud beds from the river.
Quoting reports on climate change, the NGO felt that if by 2030, half of Bangladesh is submerged, days were numbered for Garo Hills and other parts of Northeastern region, which are close to Bangladesh.
Stating that climate change can be attributed as one of the reasons for infiltration from Bangladesh, the NGO said, “Many of the low lying areas in Bangladesh are partially or fully submerged under water.”
The affected populace had no other alternative but to migrate from one place to another in search of food and livelihood.
“The fertile lands and valleys along the river Brahmaputra and Jinjiram become a safe haven for such immigrants”.
It sought for concrete and comprehensive measures by both State and Centre to take corrective steps to mitigate such forms of extraneous intrusion from the foreign lands.
