Ijei river contaminated with pollutants
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, February 14 2018:
The Ijei River near Noney has been highly contaminated with pollution from the construction of railway line, alleged Ijei River Development Board (IRDB) chairman Chamrei Kamei while speaking to some mediapersons on Tuesday.
He also alleged that the "direct discharge" from the ongoing railway construction pollutes the river.
Noney is located some 40 km west of Imphal.
On Tuesday, a jointly team comprising of activists, some media persons and the affected villagers conducted a "field inspection" at the railway construction site along the Ijei River.
According to Chamrei Kamei, the villagers have stopped using water from the Ijei River as the water is highly contaminated.
|
"Many villagers are now suffering from skin diseases suspected to be due to the use of Ijei River water," stated Ijei River Development Board (IRDB) chairman Chamrei Kamei.
"We welcome development projects but the people will oppose any kind of destruction of environment", asserted Chamrei Kamei.
The chairman of IRDB then said that the villagers had already made several complaints to the railway authority in this regard "but to no avail".
Sharing the grievances faced by the people after the water sources were polluted for the last three to four years, Chamrei Kamei said that the Ijei River is the main water source for Noney and its surrounding villages.
But after the water sources were contaminated the people are facing immense difficulties, he rued.
Chamrei Kamei also said that fishes and other species in the Ijei River are dying due to the pollution.
Over 30 thousand people from 10 villages depend on the Ijei River, said Chamrei Kamei.
Paddy fields belonging to Noney, Tupul, Sibilong and Marangjing are also badly affected due to the pollution of Ijei River, according to Chamrei Kamei.