Jowai civic body order against open defecation near Myntdu

SHILLONG: The Chief Executive Officer of the Jowai Municipal Board has taken a series of measures, including the need to stop open defecation, to save the Myntdu river.
The move comes after an order issued by the National Green Tribunal.
The CEO, in its order, has asked inhabitants of Jowai town to construct septic tanks and sanitary latrines in their houses to stop direct discharge of effluents into drains and streams.
The Tribunal has found that the health of the Myntdu has deteriorated. According to a report by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, the river has turned blue because of high acid content, said the CEO.
Heavy siltation due to human intervention has reduced the size of the river.
Open defecation around the river has led to an increase in faecal coliform and total coliform counts in the water and the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level is beyond the permissible limit.
Also, untreated wastes and water sewage of acidic contents of coal from illegal stone and sand mines further add to the water contamination.
The CEO has also informed locals that no piggery, hatchery, poultry unit or farming will be allowed near the Myntdu river and all the existing units on the banks should stop operation with immediate effect.
“Any violation may attract penalty as per law,” the CEO said in the order.