Thoubal river thick with mud, unfit for human use
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 09 2014:
Even though it is dry season, Thoubal river has become quite muddy as if it is rainy season because of crushing rocks and filtration of rock granules for manufacturing sand in the river bed.
The water is so muddy that it cannot be utilized for any purpose.
Two expert committees constituted by the Government of India for the State of Manipur want immediate prohibition of this method of quarrying sand.
In response to the Forest Department's proposal to grant, environmental clearance for quarrying of sand and stone along the beds of Thoubal river and Sekmai river, some members of the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority and the State Level Expert Committee went on a field assessment tour today.
The team found Thoubal river in a very sorry state and they observed that the condition would be disastrous for the local environment.
Noting that Thoubal river became very muddy because of quarrying rocks from the nearby hill slopes and crushing the rocks to manufacture sand in the river bed, the two expert committees recommended immediate prohibition of this mode of quarrying and manufacturing sand.
The expert committees are expected to submit a detailed report to the Central Govt shortly.
Crushing rocks to manufacture sand was seen in Thoubal river bed at more than 20 places including Nongdam, Loupheng.
Katnu-ching, Itham, Moirangpurel, Tumukhong etc.
Because of this mode of quarrying sand, Thoubal river water has been muddied and soiled to the point that it was not fit for any kind of use.
Meanwhile, Flood Control and Drainage Division III of Irrigation and Flood Control Department has issued a notification warning that legal action would be initiated if this mode of quarrying sand is not stopped immediately.