A memorandum addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Kakching has been submitted by the Joint Non-Government Voluntary Organisation (JNGVO), advocating for strict measures against illegal sand and stone extraction occurring in the Sengmai River. This memorandum, endorsed by JNGVO’s President Kshetrimayum Chhatradhari and General Secretary Nongmaithem Bheigyachandra, highlights the river’s critical role as a water resource for residents of Pallel, Unapal, Kakching, Keirak, Wabagai, Irengband Hawairou, Mairenbam, and nearby regions. The water from the Sengmai River is essential for a myriad of uses, including local water supply systems, irrigation for agriculture, fish farming, and domestic consumption.
The JNGVO expressed significant concern regarding the reduction in water levels in the river, particularly during the ongoing dry season, exacerbated by ongoing sand and stone extraction. They reported the use of heavy machinery, including JCBs and poclains, for extensive extraction activities, which further threaten the river’s water supply. The memorandum underscores the vital importance of water for human survival and draws attention to the detrimental impact of such extraction operations on both water availability and the ecological stability of the surrounding area.
The organisation urged the Deputy Commissioner to initiate a comprehensive investigation and enforce appropriate legal actions against those allegedly involved in these illicit activities, emphasizing the need to protect public interests and the environment. Notably, on February 23, members of the organisation, alongside the Caretaker Chairperson of the Kakching Municipal Council and journalists, conducted an inspection of the river sites and identified locations from Naoripat to the Pallel area where significant sand and stone extraction had taken place using such heavy machinery.
