AMSU, MSF condemn inaction of Govt, vow to support Thoubal River Conservation Committee's stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, April 19 2018: In view of the rapid pollution of Thoubal river and the resulting scarcity of clean water for the people of Thoubal, AMSU Thoubal District Committee and MSF Thoubal District Committee have endorsed the stand of Thoubal River Conservation Committee and further assured to extend full support in any agitation/protest launched by the Committee, if the authorities concerned fail to take up remedial steps to clean Thoubal river by April 26 .

A joint press release issued by the branch offices of AMSU and MSF of Thoubal district stated that Thoubal river, which is one of the most important rivers of the State, is a source of livelihood for the people of the district, however, the river has drastically changed following prolonged negligence and lack of care from the authority.

It stated that the main cause of the muddy and unusable water are sand excavation from the riverbed and washing of rocks, pebbles in the river.

The Thoubal River Conservation Committee has been tirelessly raising its voices to the State Government to take positive steps to save the river and on February 5, a memorandum was submitted to District Environment Impact Assessment Authority Chairperson and Imphal East Deputy Commissioner.

Memo were also submitted to Chief Secretary, Chairman Manipur Pollution Control Board, Secretary, Irrigation and Flood Control Department and Forest and Environment Minister, the press statement added.

Following the steps, the Under Secretary advised Imphal East and Thoubal DCs along with the respective SPs to register any cases or activities leading to pollution of Thoubal river, but no positive action have been taken up by the assigned officers till date, the student associations claimed.

Moreover, the Director of Environment recommended the Government to put a complete ban on excavation at riverbeds using heavy machineries, but the condition of Thoubal river continue to worsen as no steps have been actually taken up, it added.

The student associations claimed that there are suspicion the Commerce and Industries Department as well as the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) have given environmental clearance or permit for around seven locations, from time to time, and asked if the authority concerned did not think about Thoubal river as well as any impact to the environment before giving the clearance or approval.

Although the permit prohibited the use of heavy machineries and advised for submission of timely report to prevent any damage to the river, the present condition of Thoubal river has proved otherwise, it asserted.

The associations lamented that the authority concerned further failed to look into the drastic changes at locations permitted by Deputy Secretary (Forest & Environment) on September 15, 2017 while adding that a written complaint was submitted to Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industries) regarding the matter but in vain.

The student associations stated that they have taken the matter seriously as many people are facing grave consequences due to the actions of some individuals and added that they will extend full support to any steps taken up by Thoubal River Conservation Committee in the larger interest of the people of the district.

Comment