SHILLONG, July 23: As part of the plans of rejuvenation and restoration of rivers Umkhrah, Umshyrpi and Umkhen in Shillong, the Syiem of Mylliem along with the respective Chief Executive Officers of the Shillong Municipal Board and Shillong Cantonment Board were inducted into the apex committee on solid and liquid waste management.
On the other hand, the Commissioner and Secretary of PHE department was inducted as the co-chairman in the sub-committee on solid and liquid waste management for same purpose — rejuvenation of the rivers.
It may be mentioned that the state government along with different stakeholders have accorded top priority to rejuvenate and restorate the three main rivers flowing through Shillong city.
The Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers are listed among the 45 most polluted rivers in the country
The High Court of Meghalaya, too, had recently remarked that “several of the rivers, including the Umkhrah in Shillong itself, are carrying such contaminated water that they may not be fit even to step into. Elsewhere, rivers and streams which may not be perennial carry so much filth and dirt that people living downstream are deprived of the use of the water altogether.”