SHILLONG, March 25: The division bench of Meghalaya High Court on Thursday directed the advocate appearing for the State to ensure that a meeting of all the concerned departments of the state government well as the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (for Umiam Lake/Reservoir) is held so as to suggest measures for resolution to the issues plaguing both Umiam Lake/Reservoir and Wards Lake.
The High Court has also directed the advocate to file a comprehensive report in this regard on the next date of hearing.
The status report following the inspection of the Umiam Lake/Reservoir and Wards Lake, which was presented before the division bench, revealed that a significant amount of public money is being coughed up by the State Exchequer for the maintenance of Umiam Lake/Reservoir and Ward’s Lake with practically little or no accountability.
“As it appears from the report, it functions seasonally and that too only during monsoons or when it rains. The mouth of the outlet is broken and polluted water from the treatment plant/landfill sanitary plant flows directly into the Umiam Lake/Reservoir, polluting not only the lake but also the forest land area through which it passes,” the order said.
As far as Wards Lake is concerned, the Court order stated a monthly average of Rs 10,61,035 is being spent for salary, wages, office expenses, minor works, other charges and also towards the AMRUT Project, yet the paved pathway, which is normally used by scores of morning joggers, is never swept clean.
“The wooden fences are yet to be completed around the parameter of the lake. Even some of the Shillong Heritage Walk write-ups (prepared by Meghalaya Tourism) are not properly installed at conspicuous spots wherefrom it could have attracted more visibility. The surrounding land area of Ward’s Lake remains covered with dead and dry leaves which are not removed on a regular/daily basis by the staff who are responsible for maintaining the Lake,” the order said.
The Court pointed out that parts of the Lake and its surroundings bear witness to zero maintenance and even worse, a photograph, which was annexed to the report, revealed seepage of water from the septic tank near the parking lot into the Lake, thereby causing pollutants to infiltrate the lake water, which is supposed to be maintained in a pristine condition.
