SHILLONG, June 28: The Meghalaya High Court on Monday asked the state government to implement a central scheme, which seeks to keep all water bodies clean, in the right earnest.

The government has informed that in terms of a Central scheme, 75 water-bodies in every District with a minimum pondage area of one acre are to be rejuvenated, including the restoration of ecological and productive utility of such water-bodies.

“It is hoped that the project is taken up in right earnest and, for a start, all water-bodies are kept clean and people living around them made aware of the importance of keeping the water-bodies clean,” said the two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee, while hearing a PIL on the matter.

It has also directed the state to report on the progress of the scheme in its latest affidavit.

The court however said as far as the Umiam Lake is concerned, the filth around the lake and the edges of the water is visible.

“Future efforts should be made to ensure that revellers are kept in check and appropriate disincentives are put in place to ensure that plastic, trash or other garbage are not willy nilly thrown into the waters,” it said.

The next hearing on the matter will be held on July 26.