MPCB Chairman underscores importance of cooperation, concerted efforts to tackle pollution effectively
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 27 2022:
Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Chairman, Dr Usham Deben has underscored the importance of co-operation and concerted efforts to tackle all sorts of pollution effectively in the State.
He made the above statement while addressing media persons during a press meet held today at MPCB Office at Lamphelpat.
Dr Deben raised an alarm that a large number of complaints have been received regarding the degrading environmental condition, industrial pollution, noise pollution and so on and maintained that it is alarming to receive such a number of complaints from a small State like Manipur.
In context with the restrictions imposed on the use of certain plastic products, he informed that the Government has permitted the sale of packaged drinking water bottles of 1 litre and above.
However the ban on sale of water bottles below one litre will strictly be in place and cautioned that stern actions will be taken up against those found selling such bottles violating the Govt order, he added.
The Chairman further informed that it has been confirmed that 70 percent of water bodies in the State are polluted after conducting tests on water samples collected from rivers including Nambul, Imphal, Thoubal, Iril, Khuga etc.
He went on to inform that an Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station has started functioning in Kangla to check air pollution level.
Planning is underway to keep such air monitoring stations in 11 other places across the State, he continued.
With regards to noise pollution, the MPCB Chairman apprised that a ban will be imposed on noisy silencer pipes of vehicles in view of the inconvenience caused to the commuters.
Considering the complaints on noise pollution caused by local factories such as brick production factories, stone crushing units, saw mills etc, he maintained that a strict vigil will be kept on these units and called for public support and cooperation for the cause.
He also informed that plantation drive will be taken up on a large scale in the State and awareness programmes will be organised across all districts under the aegis of Chief Minister N Biren Singh to curb the issue of pollution.