Nambul river in Manipur, Image credit: E-Pao

In a bid to prevent pollution of Nambul River in Manipur, chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday launched the Rejuvenation and Conservation of Nambul River in Imphal.

Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Biren said that the rejuvenation and conservation project of Nambul River is a dream project and appealed the people to stop littering on the river banks which lead in polluting the river as well as the environment.

He mentioned that such initiative would also save the Loktak Lake, the pride of the state.

The chief minister encouraged the local clubs and organisations to construct concrete garbage bins in their locality.

He appealed the people of the state especially those living in the hills to stop further deforestation so as to avoid from self created disastrous situation like climate change, water crisis etc. in the State.

The project would be implemented in a phased manner under the National River Conservation Plan of the ministry of environment, forests and climate change.

The first phase of the project would be undertaken in the polluted stretch of the Nambul river from Iroisemba to Heirangoithong area and a sum of Rs. 97.72 Crores has been approved for the project.

The State government had also submitted proposals for eight rivers (Imphal, Iril, Khuga, Khujairok, Lokchao, Manipur and Thoubal and Wangjing) rivers with an estimated project cost of Rs 500 Crores.

The project aims to control pollution of river water quality by intercepting and treating all the urban waste water outfalls by using latest technology for treatment plant known as MBBR (Moving Bed Bio Reactor) at Mongsangei and Samushang, according to officials.

Altogether 56 eco-friendly crematoria and 20 units community toilet complex would be constructed at various areas under 14 municipal wards along the Nambul River, the official said.

Environment department will implement the project in consultation with water resources department, public health engineering, urban development, State Pollution Control Board, etc.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: [email protected]