Water is crucial for human survival and civilization, with rivers playing an essential role in sustaining life and ecological balance. In Manipur, prolonged dry spells and insufficient rainfall have led to acute water scarcity for many. The Sengmai River, a primary water source for locals in Kakching, faces severe threats from excessive sand and stone extraction using heavy machinery, causing significant environmental damage and public concern.
Recently, Kshetrimayum Chhatradhari, President of the Joint Non-Government Voluntary Organisation (JNGVO), along with local officials, inspected the riverbank and observed illegal excavations by JCB machines from Naoriya Paat to Pallel. This large-scale extraction, often conducted in violation of existing laws, disrupts the natural flow and structure of the river, diminishing its ecological stability and water retention capacity.
Chhatradhari emphasized that the ongoing extraction activities are exacerbating the low water levels during the dry season, obstructing water flow downstream and impacting residents in areas like Maninglom and Wabagai who depend on the river for daily water needs. JNGVO has called on the Forest Department, local authorities, and the Police Department to take urgent action against illegal sand and boulder extraction, highlighting the importance of protecting communal resources.
Despite acknowledging that some individuals rely on extraction for their livelihoods, JNGVO argues that the wellbeing of the broader community must prevail over individual interests. Concerns have also been raised by local leaders like Ch. Chomrei from the Unapal Sporting Union about the river’s diminishing water quality, with some residents now relying on private water supplies due to the pollution caused by excessive extraction.
Questions are emerging regarding the enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The JNGVO and local organizations are urging strict enforcement of environmental laws to safeguard the Sengmai River, ensuring sustainable resource management for future generations while advocating for the immediate cessation of harmful extraction practices.
