ES Newsdesk

ITANAGAR, Nov 3: Six days after the Kameng River turned turbid on October 29, reports suggests that turbidity has slightly reduced including a slight improvement in the dissolved oxygen levels.
“I see some improvement in the water quality but it needs monitoring for the next few months. High turbidity has harmed the fish population and the next few months is crucial for the riverine ecosystem to replenish itself,” said Professor Professor Punyasloke Bhadury, Head, Centre for Climate and Environmental Studies & Dept of Biological Sciences at IISER Kolkata.
Prof Bhadury and his team comprising of two young researchers arrived at Seppa on Tuesday and carried out sample collection for analysis of mud and debris and conducted various tests over a two day period which concluded today. 
The team collected samples from the Kameng river starting from Bhalukpong up to Seppa. All along the stretch, the team found high sedimentation of mud, clay and silt including tree debris. 
While speaking to Eastern Sentinel, Prof Bhadury said, “It is difficult to say when things will become normal as flushing depends on the velocity of water. A riverine system has the innate trait of moving material but it needs time. 
The water volume this year is less as compared to earlier years; right now flushing is taking place but since the solid content is much higher than the water volume and with winter setting in upstream, one cannot say for sure.” Optimistically, he said, “Kameng river is dynamic and glacier fed and it will recover but what is required is proper management and monitoring. The administration including citizens and CBOs have to play their part to ensure that the river system has a chance to recover.”
It may be mentioned here that Professor Bhadury had earlier carried out an independent ecosystem assessment after the Bhagjan Gas blowout in Assam and on November 5 next, he will be speaking virtually on climate resilience of aquatic ecosystems in COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. 

In the meanwhile, the bulletin released by the East Kameng administration on the Kameng River water situation said that no cases of diarrhoea or food poisoning were reported in any hospital. Reports of food safety are still awaited.

ADC Chayangtajo has deployed staff at Bengde village to monitor the situation of the river daily. Similar observation points have been set-up around Seppa Township area. An advisory has been issued to the public not to engage in fishing even in tributaries as many fishes which are under ecological distress are swimming into tributaries for life. All community-based organisations and EKSWCO were urged to engage volunteers at village level to sensitise the public.

The fact finding committee constituted by the State Fisheries Department submitted its report to the State Government with the observation that the mud/slurry in the river water chocked the gills of fishes which resulted in the mass mortality.

 

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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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