ES Newsdesk

ITANAGAR, Nov 6: Team of researchers from IISER Kolkata who had spent two days collecting samples of water, mud and debris for analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the current ecological and health status of the Kameng river have come out with disturbing findings on the health status of Kameng river water. 
“The Coliform load is high. It seems loss of aquatic biodiversity such as fish population have resulted in higher abundance of bacterial load (not the good ones) in the water,” revealed Prof Punyasloke Bhadury Head, Centre for Climate and Environmental Studies & Dept of Biological Sciences at IISER Kolkata. 
While speaking exclusively to this daily,  Prof Bhadury added, Microalgae in the Kameng river water which is a proxy for the health of riverine eco-system seems to be affected.  
Even more concerning, he says that results have shown the presence of microplastic in the water samples. “We found microplastic debris in the Kameng River water; it seems even Himalayan Rivers are not spared from plastics pollution.”
When asked how microplastic might have reached the glaciers, he said, “I think the microplastic were there downstream and the debris washed those further downstream along the course of the river. I do not think there is any plastic debris in the glaciers but it needs to be investigated.”
Microplastics are mistaken as food by the fish and they consume it. There is a long term issue that may have risen due to the flushing incident, he said. 

DC appeals to nurse back Kameng River 

ES Newsdesk

SEPPA, Nov 6: Deputy Commissioner East Kameng, Pravimal Abhishek Polumatla (IAS) informed that high turbidity in the Kameng River could be due to the intense landslides/avalanche in the upper reaches of the  Warriyang Bung river resulting  in deposition of mud, debris, boulders and trees.
Aerial survey with team of experts and officials on November 5 last,  showed the width of the Warriyang Bung river has been increased to a certain extent due to erosion of approximately up to 30km. Moreover, preliminary observation shows that no water body has been formed along the river.
Experts from Bengaluru and Kolkata are also voluntarily supporting the administration to study the possible cause behind the high turbidity and death of aquatic lives in the Kameng River.
The DC also requested the denizens and NGOs of East Kameng to support the administration in rejuvenating the river. “Like human beings, the Kameng river also needs care now; the high turbidity has immensely affected the aquatic lives, so now we have to join hands to rejuvenate it.”
He also appealed to the denizens of East Kameng to avoid polluting the Kameng  river  especially those living along the riverside. All the waste of Seppa town are being dumped in the river, so there are more chances of aggravating the damages to the Kameng river, he said.

---

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

<< Back to News List