JOWAI, Feb 23: Myntdu river in West Jaintia Hills, which is also one the main water supply sources of the entire population of Jowai, has been in an abysmal state for a prolonged period of time but with efforts of a newly constituted organisation, especially formed to look into rejuvenating the river, things may take a turn for the better.
The organisation — Khuid Ya Ka Wah Myntdu — has initiated slew of steps to protect and save the river from getting polluted from discharge of waste materials besides collection of stones and sand from parts of the river.
Apart from this, it has also disseminated awareness to make the residents of Jowai and its neighbouring villages realise the importance of the river.
Led by its president Lamsakhiat Pariat and general secretary Dapherborn N Suchiang, the organisation had held a meeting with the village heads to discuss measures in safeguarding and protecting the river.
Following this, the youths even conducted inspection along the stretches of the river from its sources at Jowai Bypass, Mihmyntdu, till Khlieh Kaiksoo, Ialong village, in January.
During the inspection, the team discovered that the whole stretch of the river was polluted and the water was murky.
In a meeting of the organisation, it was decided that awareness in various localities/Dorbar Shnongs on the importance of protecting Myntdu river would be spread starting March 1.
It also resolved to write to the West Jaintia Hills DC with a request to promulgate Section 144 CrPC prohibiting activities such as washing of vehicles, clothes, dumping of wastes and collecting stones and sand from the river.
It would also write to the JHADC chief asking him to empower local heads to approve collection of sand from their respective areas by various individuals.
