The Wahumkhrah River is one of Shillong’s most polluted waterways. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma led a critical meeting with officials and representatives of civil society on Thursday to develop a specific action plan for cleaning and revitalizing the river. The government’s increased efforts to combat long-standing environmental degradation are highlighted by Sangma’s statement that “strategic zones will be identified, with enhanced surveillance in vulnerable areas where littering and improper garbage disposal remain major challenges.” “We will also investigate whether bioremediation methods can effectively clean the river.”
The Chief Minister emphasized that although physical cleanup measures are currently in progress, institutional actions by themselves would not be adequate. “Active and sustained community involvement is the only way to achieve lasting change,” he stated. The local community and the Dorbar Shnong will need to work closely together to solve the underlying causes of pollution.
