Imphal River cleaning campaign begins in Kpi
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIO / DIPR
Kangpokpi, September 29 2022:
Following the successful cleaning and rejuvenation campaign of Nambul River, directorate of Environment & Climate Change along with Water Resources Department on Thursday launched a month-long 'Cleaning of Imphal River Campaign under the River Rejuvenation Programme' in Kangpokpi district.
The programme is undertaken in collaboration with Kangpokpi district administration, Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council (SH-ADC), Kangpokpi Town Committee (KTC), Kangpokpi Women's Welfare Organisation (KWWO) and Kangpokpi Youth Union (KYU) among others.
According to Directorate of Environment and Climate Change deputy director Dr T Brajakumar Singh, the target is to fully clean the Imphal River as had been advised by chief minister N Biren and under the guidance of Water Resources minister Awangbow Newmai.
Informing that the Imphal River clean-up drive would be carried out from Kangpokpi to Sekmai for phase-I, he said the same started from Thursday in Kangpokpi district.
He also said a month long awareness campaign will begin from October 4 in every ward of the district consisting of around 50 households.
Brajakumar said the target is to collect domestic waste from each household by KTC under the overall supervision of SH-ADC.
He informed that the steps were initiated as per the District Environment Plan.
Stating that the target is to change people's habit and make the initiative purposeful, the deputy director explained that the prime objective is to prevent domestic waste/solid waste from polluting the Imphal River.
He said specific areas like markets, hospitals, offices, shops among others will have to mandatorily pay fees for the collection of solid waste, which will be done on daily basis.
He informed that in case the campaign is successful then it will be continued for few months.
On the other hand, KTC chairman Angam Leivon welcomed the move of the government and expressed happiness over cleaning of the river, plan for awareness campaign and collection of solid waste.
Stating that the endeavour will help people of the district live in a clean environment, he said the action plan is the need of the hour as it is important to save the rivers and other water bodies in the state.
It may be noted that on September 19, Water Resources minister Awangbow along with Kangpokpi deputy commissioner Ken-goo Zuringla and officials of Water Resources Department and Directorate of Environment & Climate Change had inspected the Imphal River, Makhan River and Sekmai River banks.