Govt to file action taken report by March next year
Shillong, Nov 19: The Meghalaya High Court has directed a slew of measures to protect the scenic Myntdu river near Jowai from the impact of ongoing construction work and submit an action taken report by March next year.
In its order passed after hearing a PIL on the matter, the bench comprising chief justice Indra Prasanna Mukherji and justice W Diengdoh said, “The Amicus Curiae is directed to file a report by 28th February, 2025. The government will also file a report indicating the action taken and also responding to the report of the Amicus Curiae by 13th March, 2025.”
The amicus curiae P Yobin, in his joint inspection report, made a depiction of the importance of the Myntdu river flowing through the Jaintia region and thereafter into Bangladesh.
The petition alleged that the government authorised construction work by the side of the river and which has been done indiscriminately resulting in unloading of debris into the river bed.
Besides, the government allegedly did not taken adequate steps to stop erosion of the river resulting in deposits of silt in the river bed. The combined effect is choking up of the river, preventing adequate flow of water for cultivation, drinking and other purposes.
While allowing continuance of the ongoing work, the bench ordered the government to take some emergent measures to facilitate the free flow of water in the river.
“An appropriate administrative order should be issued by the government immediately prohibiting any materials generated from construction work to be deposited in the river,” it said.
The court also directed that the debris carried away in and dumped in a place designated by the administration.
Ordering adequate steps to keep a buffer zone from the bank of the river, the court said, “Up to a distance from the side of the river, inwards construction work should be regulated in terms of distance to be maintained from the bank of the river inwards and the volume of construction to be sanctioned by the government in a fair, transparent and reasonable manner.”
The Myntdu river irrigates two fertile valleys – Pynthor Nein and Pynthor Wah – providing sustenance to about 40,000 people. The river is worshipped as a goddess and regarded as the Tawiar Takan (divine angel guardian) by the local people.
Earlier, the court stated that it was satisfied by the government reply filed by additional advocate general that steps had been taken to prevent soil erosion and also to remove the debris generated by construction work and deposited in the river.
“It appears from the report that the process is time consuming. It is pointed out by the amicus curiae that the dry season has started and it is likely to become drier in the near future,” the court said.
