Shillong: The East Khasi Hills district administration has strictly prohibited the discharge of sewage and other wastes into Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers with immediate effect to curb the increasing pollution of these water bodies.
In a recent order, District Magistrate RM Kurbah stated that the latest analysis report by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board on the Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers reveals no significant improvement in water quality.
The order stated, “This is particularly evident at the following locations: Umshyrpi near Law College, Umshyrpi at Umshyrpi Bridge, Umkhrah river at Demthring, Umkhrah at Umkaliar, Umkhrah near the slaughterhouse (Mawlai Phudmuri), and Umkhrah at Mawpdang Mawlai.”
“The increase in parameters like biological oxygen demand & fecal coliform, unauthorized discharge of domestic sewage from septic tanks into the water bodies and throwing/dumping of garbage on street/water body, thus, polluting the river and making it unfit for domestic uses and aquatic lives as well,” the order stated.
Exercising powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, District Magistrate Kurbah has prohibited the unauthorized discharge of untreated sewage or other waste from sources like septic tanks, houses, automobile workshops, and commercial establishments.
The order also bans the dumping of garbage on streets or throwing into the water bodies.
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Authorities warned that any violations would result in prosecution under Section 223 of the BNS and additional legal action under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The District Magistrate stated that such activities “not only cause air and water pollution but also pose health hazards to the citizens of this district.”
