By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 4: Buoyed by the success of a pilot project to revive Lukha river by using algae, called Phycoremediation technology, the state government will now try to rejuvenate two other rivers in East Jaintia Hills district – Lunar and Kyrhuhkhla, both impacted by acid mine drainage.
After laying the foundation stone for the restoration project, Environment Minister, James Sangma on Saturday said the project will be undertaken under the Meghalaya Environment Restoration Funds.
He said an effort will be made to rejuvenate the rivers by increasing their pH level, stating that it is imperative for a river to support aquatic life.
The Environment minister said the method, tried out in Lukha, was a success.
The project was carried out by the Trinity International. Sangma said the project will be extended to other rivers polluted by heavy metal or acid mine drainage.
Lukha had been in news since 2007 for sporting a blue hue during dry seasons. Rampant mining activities and effluents discharged from cement plants had rendered it dead.
However, it has now got a new lease of life, thanks to the minute organism, algae. The latest report pegged its PH level at 6.5. The neutral pH of water is 7. The project was set in motion by the Forest department last year.
