By Emihun-I Pakma
SHILLONG, July 28: To a river deeply intertwined with the lives of those who depend on it, the Myntdu river stands as a sacred guardian to the community it protects. No matter where they go, the river’s spirit accompanies them, offering its blessings. For countless decades, it has provided water and supported the town in numerous ways. Witnessing its degradation in the name of urbanisation is truly heartbreaking. While development is beneficial, to what extent should it come at such a cost? Is it necessary for the beloved Myntdu river to suffer and sacrifice everything just for us to achieve some level of progress?
It is crucial to recognise the importance of this river to the people and the ecosystem as a whole. Culturally, scientifically, and in every significant way, the Myntdu river holds immense value. We have heard of other rivers in various places being destroyed for different purposes and not receiving enough attention. Why is this particular river so significant and frequently talked about, one may ask.
The cultural sentiments the Myntdu river holds and the purpose it serves are the main reasons for the people’s fight against its extinction.
A prominent member of Sein Raij and an advocate for the importance of the Myntdu river, OR Shallam, spoke about what it stands for. He said, “The Myntdu river is one of the ‘Khatsoo Waheh’ (fourteen elders) found in Jowai. It is also known as the guardian angel of Jowai, protecting the town from any threats and surrounding the entire town. As a member of Niamtre, and alongside friends from other religions, we offer our prayers before crossing the Myntdu Bridge, seeking its protection and blessings for any hardships and dangers we might face during our journeys outside the town. It acts as a protective shield for everyone who comes under its protection and within its barrier.”
The river’s cultural importance is equivalent to the practical purpose it serves.
Myntdu provides water for household consumption and, most importantly, for agricultural purposes. The river gives us everything we need. If the townspeople still have the luxury of water, fresh air, and protection from soil erosion, and if thousands of lives depend on it. It is because of the existence of this river.
This explains the recent uproar with the whole town standing up for the rights of this river, which ultimately means their right to a safer livelihood. The people served by the Myntdu are doing whatever they can to protect and improve the condition of the river.
Shallam added that the divine river has always shown patience with the people of Jowai despite the disturbances caused by pollution. However, those responsible for tampering with its flow will eventually face consequences. Pollution from deforestation, soil erosion, and the dumping of rocks into the river has been increasing. Nevertheless, the river continues to serve the people of Jowai patiently. The district administration, village elders, and Seinraij continue to seek forgiveness from the river and educate the citizens of Jowai to avoid dumping waste into the river and to take care of it, as it is the primary source of sustenance. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed regulations to protect the river, but compliance has been lacking. Authorities should enforce these laws more strictly.
Despite this, the citizens of Jowai have made considerable efforts to clean the river over the years. The Myntdu river’s immense patience has always provided everything we need.
Shallam, however, expressed his confidence that the Myntdu river will never cease to exist like other rivers, such as the famous Wah Umkhrah, as long as the people of the town continue to fight for it.
President and founder of ‘Khuid Ka Wah Myntdu’ (Cleanliness of the Myntdu River), KL Pariat, an association focused on cleaning the river, spoke about people’s willingness to work for its betterment.
Through awareness campaigns in every village, working together with the district administration against activities that pollute the river, and periodic clean-up drives, this initiative has inspired many people in Jowai, especially the youth and various local communities. There are many other associations whose sole purpose is to clean the river.
A district school education officer received an appeal from the organisation to include environmental studies and assign 20 marks focusing on the Myntdu river and related assignments. They also plant trees as much as possible, right from the main source of the Myntdu river and in many other locations.
However, Pariat stated that this is not enough because better intervention and higher investment are needed. Maintaining a river, especially one whose condition is degrading and becoming increasingly polluted, is not an easy task. The Myntdu river, considered a deity by the townspeople, has never given up on its people despite the harm done to her.
When asked if there has been any proper government intervention, Pariat said, “No proper project has been initiated by the government so far.”
Expanding on this, Pariat mentioned, “In 2017, a case was filed by Sanjay Laloo to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which resulted in an order to the government to create a drainage system to prevent pollutants and dirty sewage from being dumped into the Myntdu river. The government started making this drainage system in 2023, but these projects are still incomplete. This drainage system was supposed to filter all the pollutants before they could enter the river, resulting in clean water.”
However, this has been a failed project from the government’s side as they do not pay enough attention to it. The people of the town have already contributed their lands for the making of this drainage system. Additionally, instead of establishing a waste recovery center to cater to the people and prevent them from dumping waste into the river, this is another failure of the government.
This lack of involvement frustrates the masses, especially with the recent activity of major construction that has dumped soil into the Myntdu river. Consequently, a signature campaign was started, garnering over 600 signatures from different parts of the district where the Myntdu serves as the main water source. A letter was filed to the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, which is seen as the last resort. This letter was filed on June 25, and they are now awaiting the hearing.
The Chief Justice has been asked to help restore the cleanliness of the river and to declare that the Myntdu has legal rights to be restored and for the people who depend on it to live. Exclusively, Pariat shared that in “Pynthornein,” a part of Jowai, the construction of a highway has destroyed all the land, making it unsuitable for agriculture. As a result, landowners and farmers have filed a petition to the District Legal Services Authority of West Jaintia, speaking against this man-made disaster created by the government.
OR Challam and KL Pariat voice the genuine concerns of all the residents when they highlight the lack of involvement by the concerned authorities. The damage has been significant, making every member of the town increasingly vulnerable and worried about the pollution. Recently, the PHE supplied water from the Myntdu to every household, and the water was reddish and unsanitary to use.
All they wish is for the government to take a more active role in this initiative, as all the people in the town are already doing whatever they can. Pariat added, “Construction can happen anytime, but the Myntdu river is something that we can only have once and cannot afford to lose.”