GUWAHATI: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has directed authorities in Assam and Nagaland to investigate alleged ecological degradation in the upper catchment of the Dikhow River along the inter-state border and take appropriate action against any violations.
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The direction follows concerns raised by Congress MP and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi over the possible impact of activities in the river’s upper catchment on downstream flooding in Upper Assam.
In a letter dated October 21, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav informed Gogoi that the concerns raised in his letter of August 13 had been taken note of. Gogoi had flagged unscientific coal mining, extraction of sand, gravel and riverbed boulders, dumping of mining waste, deforestation, stone quarrying and hill-cutting in the catchment area.
According to the minister's letter, the Centre had written to the Assam and Nagaland authorities on September 30, asking them to examine the issues within their respective jurisdictions, conduct field verification wherever necessary and take appropriate action under applicable laws and environmental safeguards.
The authorities directed to examine the matter include the Assam and Nagaland Pollution Control Boards, the respective State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities and the Directorates of Geology and Mining in both states.
The Principal Chief Conservators of Forests have also been asked to take necessary measures for the management and protection of the catchment area.
The minister said the concerned authorities had been asked to submit an Action Taken Report directly to Gogoi.
Gogoi had written to Yadav on August 13, seeking urgent intervention over the reported ecological damage along the Assam-Nagaland border. He also personally met the Union minister to raise the issue.
The Centre's direction comes amid concerns over the possible consequences of unregulated mining and other activities in the Dikhow River's upper catchment on the river system and downstream areas of Upper Assam.
