The high turbidity in the Kameng River has raised much concern among the people of Arunachal Pradesh ever since reports emerged that the river’s waters has turned dark and muddy with large quantities of dead fish washing up on its shores. That was Friday.
In this couple of days, the situation has remained the same. There are reports on Sunday indicating that the muddy waters has reached Bhalukpong which is close to the Arunachal-Assam boundary with no change in the water quality.
The 264kms long Kameng River is one of the most important rivers of the state and originates in Tawang district from the glacial lake below the snow-capped Gorichen mountain range. The Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in the river on Friday reading was five times higher at  6800mg/liter, whereas normal TDS range should be 300 to 1200 mg/liter. The devastation of this debris flow event on the riverine ecosystem is simply unfathomable. 
 Journalists of the state are scampering around trying to collect information about what’s going on. The little information that the East Kameng district administration officials have given out alongwith an advisory is too meagre to help clear the air. Like always in such events, speculations are rife about China’s probable interference in upstream areas. One would think that the Kameng River turbidity is an important matter which warrants the state government to speak up albeit what little preliminary information it has on the development. In doing so it can assuage people’s minds and also arrest rumor mongering. But despite the passage of 72 hours there has been no communication from the government. It is perplexing to note that  the state government is a habitual offender in such matters. But why?!
If not for researchers who volunteer information with satellite data and analysis, such matters would remain a concern and mystery for the common man. Journalists especially the state media and their ground reporters must be commended for keeping the information flowing. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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