Shillong, Mar 14: The Empowered Committee constituted by Government of Meghalaya to prepare a road map for preservation of the Umiam Lake in response to Meghalaya High Court’s directive for filing an action plan for rejuvenation of the lake, organised an interactive meeting with stakeholders settled in the immediate vicinity of the lake’s catchment area on Saturday (March 12, 2022).The attendees of the meeting were Syed Razi, Commissioner & Secretary and Manjunath C, Secretary Forest & Environment, B.K. Lyngwa, PCCF & Hoff, Renette Sohkhlet, Secretary of Tourism, Officials of River rejuvenation committee, Urban Affairs, MUDA, KHADC. Amongst these, there was also MeECL, MSPCB, Rangbah Shnongs of Mawlyndep, Umbir, Umsaw, Umiew, Mawdun and Mawiong Rim and representatives of institutions like Siloam, Ferrando School, Bethel retreat, UCC College, Robin’s Nest, Fisherman’s association, land owners.

Environmentalist and expert member of the committee, Naba Bhattacharjee, who initiated this public consultation, gave a detailed overview of the approach in preparing the road map with the consultation of the stake holders and the importance of taking them on board to create awareness on the importance of conserving the lake.

All present in the meeting put forward their inputs and suggestions, including the historical aspects of the settlement of different shnongs in the catchment areas and the environment safeguards initiated with unanimous emphasis on the importance of solving the pollution concerns of Wahumkhrah and Wah Umshyrpi, both of which drain into the Umiam Lake, emptying volumes of plastic waste and other pollutants. Cooperation of stakeholders was sought for the proposed process of GIS mapping and zoning operation to ensure a comprehensive action plan.

The first site inspection of the catchment areas of the lake was undertaken by the committee on the 1st of March along the old GS Road, to analyse the prevailing situation.