SHILLONG, Feb 21: While Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and the MDA Government make all the right noises at different platforms about environment conservation things on the ground have reached dangerous levels. The vibrant rivers that originate from the Shillong Peak and flow through several villages before flowing into the Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers are facing a slow death.
The Wah Umkhen is the source from where the Public Health Engineering Department draws water to supply to the large majority of residents of Shillong but the sight of this river today would make anyone cringe. It has become a garbage dump and the water level has reduced drastically. What’s worse is that cars coming from Jyntah and Umphyrnai drive through the river, using it to take the shortcut to Madanrting.
This correspondent spoke to the Rangbah Shnong of Madanrting, H Kharkongor to ask why the river is being used as a garbage dumping ground. Kharkongor said that ever since the military, in particular the Assam Regimental Centre, set up the firing range across the river there has been much dumping of garbage into the Umkhen. Earlier there was a plan for a bridge to span the river but ever since the army takeover of that area, the bridge has been decommissioned and has become a rusted museum piece. So people and vehicles coming from Jyntah have to cross to Madanrting by crossing the Umkhen.
When asked why the Shnong was not taking a call on this major pollution spree of an important river, Kharkongor said that there is nothing much they can do since it involves the military. Asked who the major polluters of the river were, Kharkongor said the families belonging to the army personnel living around the area must be dumping garbage into the river.
Those residing near the Umkhen however say that since there are market areas above the Umkhen in Happy Valley, most of the garbage comes from there. They include styrofoam and plastics by the tonnes. When Kharkongor was asked if there is a garbage disposal in place in the Shnong he replied in the affirmative.
The Umkhen is a dying river and it will take a gigantic effort by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council which claims ownership over all rivers,
the State Water Resources Department and the Dorbar Shnong, Madanrting to rejuvenate this life-giving river.
The more pertinent question is whether the entire Cantonment area comprising the 58 Gorkha Training Centre and the Assam Regimental Centre have a garbage management system in place.
