SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) South West Border Circle has officially lodged a formal complaint with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) regarding the suspected high-level contamination of the Wah Prang in East Jaintia Hills.
In a letter addressed to the MSPCB, the union expressed grave concern over the deteriorating state of the river, which serves as a vital water source for local residents but is now showing terrifying signs of severe pollution.
According to local witnesses, the river water has undergone a drastic change in color this year, a clear indicator that the water is heavily contaminated and unsafe for any form of human consumption or use.
The KSU highlighted a recurring and tragic pattern, noting that mass fish deaths have been reported in the Wah Prang periodically over the last five years, typically coinciding with the onset of the monsoon season. However, the situation has escalated dangerously this year, with the sheer scale of dead fish combined with the discolored water sparking a massive health scare among the local population.
The union vehemently argued that this environmental catastrophe is not only destroying the aquatic ecosystem but is also a direct threat to the lives of those who depend on the river daily. They asserted that such environmental degradation is a blatant violation of the fundamental Right to a Clean Environment as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Invoking the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the KSU reminded the MSPCB of its statutory duty to protect and control river pollution, especially in cases where illegal industrial discharge or unmonitored mining activities might be at play.
The KSU has demanded that the state authorities immediately conduct comprehensive water quality tests to identify the exact source of the pollution. They have called for stringent legal action against those responsible and urged the government to prioritize the restoration of the river to prevent a total environmental collapse in the future.
