The campaign to save and protect rivers in Manipur, organised as part of the month-long Swachhata Campaign that began on October 2, concluded today with a cleanliness drive-cum-environment awareness programme at Iroisemba Irong, where the Luwangli and Singda streams join to form the Nambul River on the outskirts of Imphal.
The Nambul River Protection Committee (NRPC), Iroishemba, organised the concluding session of the Save River campaign under the initiative of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DoECC).
President N. Meino of Iroishemba Irong Laipham Thougal Lup, its secretary S. Merajao Meitei, NRPC president Irom Phulendro, and Development Officer Thounaojam Alexander of the DoECC — which has been conducting various forms of environmental awareness programmes through multiple platforms — were present during the riverbank cleanliness drive-cum-awareness event. During the programme, NRPC leader Phulendro narrated the challenges faced by the Nambul River Protection Committee in spreading awareness about river conservation and in erecting signboards at the Iroisemba area.
Most of the speakers, including Development Officer Alexander, expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of rivers in the state, noting that many people still retain the old habit of using rivers and streams as dumping sites for garbage, leading to severe pollution.
However, they appreciated the initiative taken up by the NRPC under the guidance of the DoECC to rejuvenate and protect rivers for future generations.
The Nambul River, once among the most polluted rivers in the country, has shown signs of improvement at a few points following the operation of a sewage treatment plant at Heirangoithong in Imphal West district under the Nambul River Rejuvenation Programme of the DoECC.