SHILLONG: With an objective to conserve and preserve the Umngi River, a seminar-cum-workshop on the theme, “Rally for Umngi- a river conservation movement” was organised by Friends of the Umngi River (FOTUR) held on Friday at Synod College.
Speaking to media persons, FB Basan, BDO Ranikor C & RD Block said, “We have taken a number of activities which include preventing people from fish netting, to use chemicals. We have been able to tackle such practices and you can see that fishes have increased in the river.”
He added that the conference aimed to discuss the conservation activities of rivers with people having scientific background. Resource persons include professors, environmentalists etc., to explore diverse methods for river conservation and the various threats that pose the rivers of Meghalaya.
“We urge neighbouring villages to join hand with Friends of the Umngi River and we are ready to help them as per the constitution of the Friends of the Umngi River,” Basan said.
According to Basan, the main objective of FOTUR and the BDO office is to ensure that the Umngi River is unpolluted from the source till it flows down to Bangladesh.
“We are delighted that the river Umngi is crystal clear,” he said, adding that students and youth are taking active part in conservation process of the river.
Meanwhile, Isawanda Laloo, Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills spoke on creating community consciousness to inculcate in people the value of rivers.
Delivering a paper presentation, W. Khardewsaw, headman of Umpung and secretary of FOTUR informed that the Umngi River rises from Sohiong and flows till Bangladesh.
Stating that some people have taken up fishing as their occupation, he said, “If we can increase the fish population by taking care of rivers like Kynshi and Rilang, no doubt, South West Khasi Hills can supply fish in the entire state.”
Robertson Basan, executive member of FOTUR said that there are 65 varieties of fishes and 10 varieties had become extinct due to over netting, over fishing which has affected the eco-balance.
He presented slides showing both local and migratory fishes.
FOTUR is an organization formed on April 6, 2015 by 15 villages under South West Khasi Hills with an aim to conserve the Umngi River which flows through the 15 villages against harmful fishing activities like fish netting, chemical dilutions and the usage of explosives.
Noticing that rivers in Meghalaya are getting polluted which has destroyed the eco-system and unsuitable for human consumption, the FOTUR has undertaken the mammoth task of giving the much needed care to ensure that the same fate does not fall on the Umngi River.
As part of FOTUR’s conservation initiative, an increase in the variety of fishes was seen which boosts to the economy of the village as people have taken up fishing as a livelihood activity.
The conservation project of FOTUR is not without obstacles as they alleged that there is opposition from people with vested interests who prefer to use harmful fishing methods for profits.
There is also the problem of dealing with solid and liquid waste being emitted to the river from various sources and villages.
There is also the much needed awareness programme to sensitize people on the conservation activity of the river and the lack of funds for executing procedures to make the conservation efforts more tough.