Thoubal River water worsening despite High Court order for preservation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 03 2021:
The People for Animal (PFA) Manipur, in a statement issued today has said that the Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs) of Thoubal river is far beyond the acceptable level, despite an order from the High Court of Manipur for preservation.
Turbidity of water is measured in NTUs.
According to PFA, the NTU of Thoubal river stands near 1,000.The turbidity level of rivers should be below 15 in seasons which lack rainfall, said PFA.
Saying that the Thoubal river has been flowing rapidly since the past few days though there is no monsoon in catchment areas, the statement questioned if Mapithel dam released excessive water.
A number of vehicles running on the National Highway transporting dripping wet sands and stones also indicate that heavy machinery are being utilised in this river for extracting/quarrying sands and stones, PFA charged further claiming that there is also no sign of officials concerned checking this activity.
The worsening condition of this river is not only affecting the human populace but also poses grave threat to both aquatic and amphibious flora and fauna, PFA said.
Saying that formulating an effective policy would be far more effective in rejuvenating this river than civilians guarding it, the statement asserted that they would file contempt of Court to those who violate the High Court directive.
It may be mentioned that the Manipur High Court had banned unauthorised stone quarry, sand mining in all rivers of the State to prevent river pollution.