SHILLONG, MAY 6: Alleging serious environmental degradation in East Jaintia Hills, the Khasi Students’ Union South West Border Circle has petitioned the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board to act against suspected pollution in the Wah Prang River.
The union, in a letter sent Tuesday, said the river has long been a crucial water source for local communities but is now showing signs of contamination. Residents have observed an “unusual change in colour” in the river water this year, which the KSU said points to a likely deterioration in water quality.
According to the complaint, mass fish deaths have been reported in the Wah Prang River intermittently for the past five years, especially when monsoon rains begin.
This year, however, the problem has intensified, with both repeated fish mortality and visible discoloration of the water raising fears of toxic discharge or hazardous pollutants.
The KSU said the pollution not only endangers aquatic life and biodiversity but also impacts the health and livelihood of people who rely on the river daily.
It argued that the continued damage to the river ecosystem violates the right to a clean and healthy environment guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Referring to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the union reminded authorities of their duty to prevent and control water pollution, stressing that any discharge of untreated industrial or mining waste into the river is illegal.
The union has sought immediate scientific testing of the river water, identification of pollution sources, and legal action against violators.
It further called for urgent remedial steps to revive the river’s ecosystem and for sustained monitoring to avoid similar incidents in the future, describing the issue as one demanding swift government intervention.
