Month-long Imphal River cleaning campaign launched in Manipur

Our Correspondent

Kangpokpi, Sep. 29 (EMN): A month-long ‘Cleaning of Imphal River Campaign under the River Rejuvenation Programme’ was formally launched at Kangpokpi hill town, 45 km north of Imphal on Thursday.

The cleaning of Imphal River campaign is being taken up after the state’s first ever rejuvenation and conservation of the Nambul River in Imphal under the National River Conservation Plan that aimed at preventing pollution of rivers.

During the launching session at Kangpokpi DC’s office, the Joint Director Dr. T Brajakumar Singh of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change highlighted the importance of taking up the initiative under the guidance of the state chief minister.

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He said Imphal River cleaning drive is along the stretch from Kangpokpi to Sekmai for phase-I and the cleaning process has started from Thursday onwards by cleaning the garbage at Khupting bridge, main dumping site of the hill town.

At the same time there are also series of programmes including Kangpokpi town ward wise awareness programme on solid waste management starting from next week apart from holding other forms of initiatives river rejuvenation programmes.

Speaking to reporters on the sideline of the function, Dr. Brajakumar said, ‘we are focusing on the ecosystem services for the environmental components. The river system is providing ecosystem services to human beings and if we do not have such a type of initiative and river rejuvenation programmes, then there are chances of increasing water issues.’

Stating that the existing river systems have been affected after the drying up of the springs in the state, he said when the water level of the rivers decreases, the people living on the riverbanks pollute it by throwing domestic wastes. So the initiative to clean the river came into light with an idea of spreading awareness to change the mindsets of the people, he added.

The Additional District Magistrate/Additional Deputy Commissioner Derick L Khobung of Kangpokpi, the representatives of the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council, Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women’s Welfare Organisation and Kangpokpi Youth Union were also present during the function.

The Additional District Magistrate/Additional Deputy Commissioner Derick L Khobung of Kangpokpi also assured that the district administration will do its best to revamp the waste management system in Kangpokpi town.

The Kangpokpi town committee representative also shared their opinions and views over the new initiatives which are being taken up by the government agencies.

The month-long river cleaning campaign will be organised from Kangpokpi to Sekmai area.

Besides, a month-long awareness campaign on river conservation will also be started by introducing proper waste management activities across 18 wards of Kangpokpi town from next week.