As the movement to save river Thoubal from pollution and encroachment is getting momentum, Manipur Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar Singh told the Manipur Assembly that the State government has taken up steps to save the river.
State Forest and Environment Singh also informed the House on Friday that an order has been issued to the respective Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police in the districts through which river Thoubal flows to take immediate steps to stop infiltration, encroachment, human excretion on it and piggery farming along the banks of the river.
It may be mentioned that Thoubal River Conservation Committee with the locals called for a 24-hour total shut down of the district from midnight of February 16 to February 17 midnight. However, after assurances of taking immediate remedial measures to save the river from the Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal, Haobam Roshita, the Committee called off the bandh at 2 pm on February 17.
Informing this, chairman of the Thoubal River Conservation Committee AK Bishworjit, after a two-hour discussion with the Thoubal DC over the issue, said that the DC had given assurance that the government is in contact with the district administration to see how the polluted river can be cleaned and protected. “The government has said that it will take up necessary actions to clean the river,” Bishworjit had said.
The total shut down in the district was called in protest against the failure of the government to come up with a solution to save Thoubal. The Thoubal River Conservation Committee also set February 16 as the deadline and had warned that it would launch stir if the State government fails to respond positively before the deadline.
The people of Thoubal district have been demanding that measures be taken to make the river pollution-free and also check sand mining in the river, which is a source of livelihood of many people.
Minister Shyamkumar during discussion on Friday in the ongoing budget session of the State Assembly also said that a solid waste management plant would be set up at Thoubal Khunou under the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR).