Why has the Umngot River — world-renowned for its crystal-clear waters that mirror the sky and boats floating as if on air — turned muddy? The sudden discoloration of Meghalaya’s pride, the Umngot, has raised serious environmental and livelihood concerns. Locals and tourists alike are questioning how a river once hailed globally for its pristine clarity could now bear the scars of negligence. Talking to Media persons Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said the issue stems from debris dumping linked to ongoing road expansion works, despite existing safeguards under the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Before the construction of any road, all precautionary and environmental protection measures are mandated within the DPR. If there is any violation of these conditions, the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board or the concerned authority is empowered to take action as per the provisions of law.
Amid growing outrage, Rymbui on Monday voiced deep concern over the situation, acknowledging both environmental and economic implications. “We cannot deny the fact that Umngot river is famous for its crystal-clear water where people do boating, people go for fishing. But recently, the reason unknown to me, having said that, the water of river Umngot has turned muddy, which affects the life of fishes or any aquatic bodies. It also affects the livelihood of the people because, as I said, there are many tourists all over the world who are longing to go to Umngot and they have made their programs six months, five, one year beforehand,” Rymbui said.
The Minister pointed out that the issue may have originated from a landslide near Laitlyngkot, where a small tributary flows into the Umngot. “It seems that just below Laitlyngkot, there is a small tributary of river Umngot, which flows to Umngot. Few weeks back during Puja, there was a heavy landslide in that area and it seems that the company and the contractor who is doing the work dumped the soil nearby to clear the road. So, the soil because it falls in that stream, it carries debris to river Umngot,” he explained.
He further mentioned that Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has already intervened in the matter. “Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has already spoke to the company to see how that this beautiful river which is an asset of the state — Dawki is one of the destinations for tourists, Umngot is one of the destinations for tourists — and because of this, people from Khanapara till Shillong and Umngot earn their livelihood and this should not affect their livelihood. The company has responded positively to see if there is a need for corrective measures so that the glory of river Umngot, the crystal-clear water, is revived,” Rymbui said.
He stressed that the muddy waters of the Umngot are not just an environmental issue but a livelihood crisis. “It’s not the question of precautionary measures, it’s the question of livelihood,” Rymbui asserted, underscoring the urgency for swift restoration efforts and accountability from the construction company.
