Ricky AJ Syngkon highlights severe environmental degradation of the Umngot River—once celebrated as ‘Asia’s cleanest river’—caused by ongoing construction activities under the Shillong-Dawki Road Project being implemented by NHIDCL and funded by JICA
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 29: Lok Sabha member from Shillong, Ricky AJ Syngkon has petitioned Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav complaining about severe environmental degradation and pollution of the once-pristine Umngot River due to construction activities for the Shillong-Dawki Road Project.
The MP drew the attention of the central ministers to the severe environmental degradation of the Umngot River—once celebrated as “Asia’s cleanest river”—caused by ongoing construction activities under the project being implemented by NHIDCL and funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
He said that the Umngot River, a symbol of Meghalaya’s pristine natural heritage and a major tourism asset, has tragically turned muddy and lifeless this October, a period when its waters should be crystal clear.
Stating that this development has alarmed local communities, tourism operators and environmental organisations, who report massive dumping of soil and construction debris into river systems, especially near Umtyngar and Dawki, during hill-cutting operations along the project alignment, the MP added that large-scale dumping of excavated material into the Umtyngar and Umngot Rivers has been documented, reportedly carried out under NHIDCL supervision.
“No visible spoil bank management or silt containment measures have been implemented, violating basic environmental safeguards and even the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board has so far not initiated action, unlike similar cases in other states,” the MP said.
He highlighted a similar case involving the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, where the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a Rs 2-crore penalty for comparable offences.
Thousands of domestic and international tourists flock to Dawki every year to witness the river’s crystal-clear waters, sustaining the livelihoods of boatmen, homestay owners, food suppliers and transporters.
“Its global reputation for ‘floating boats’ has been badly affected, with many tourists cancelling their trips this season,” he said.
The MP sought immediate halt to all hill-cutting and soil disposal activities impacting the Umngot River and its tributaries, and a joint inspection by a high-level team comprising officials from MoRTH, MoEF&CC, Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution Control Board, NHIDCL, and JICA representatives.
The MP also sought environmental compensation to be levied on NHIDCL, on the lines of the NGT’s Bhagirathi precedent, revision of project design to restrict road expansion beyond environmentally sensitive zones , preparation of a river restoration and rehabilitation plan for the Umngot ecosystem and accountability measures against officials responsible for environmental non-compliance.
“The Umngot River is not merely a water body, it is a living symbol of Meghalaya’s heritage and the spirit of sustainable coexistence,” Syngkon wrote.
“If immediate remedial measures are not taken, we risk losing a globally renowned natural wonder,” he warned. (With PTI inputs)
