At least 13 river stretches tagged polluted

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 14 : River water pollution has been a problem facing Manipur for decades, but in a short span of just 5 years, more rivers have become polluted, raising alarm and serious concerns about environment and public health implications.
In 2018, the Central Pollution Control Board identified nine (9) polluted river stretches in Manipur with Nambul being the worst affected.
In 2022, the number increased to 13 with new rivers joining the rank with Nambul.
To understand the current state of the rivers in Manipur and Government measures being implemented to maintain water quality, this paper spoke to some experts and authorities of the Government of Manipur.
Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Member Secretary W Roshan, speaking to The Sangai Express, said the MPCB monitors 75 water bodies including lakes, rivers and ponds across the State, and sends monthly reports to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
While the MPCB is committed to effectively monitor the water bodies including the rivers, the violent conflict that started on May 3, 2023 has impacted its functioning, he said.
Due to accessibility issues, the MPCB is able to send reports for only 47 water bodies at present, he added.
On river water pollution, Roshan informed that the Central Pollution Control Board, in its "River stretch for restoration of water quality" report in 2018, identified 9 polluted river stretches in Manipur.
Notably, the 2018 report of the CPCB was published analysing the water quality data under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme for the  year 2016 and 2017.
It categorised polluted river stretches in five priority classes based on BOD concentration, Priority-I being the highest (most polluted).
The BOD, or Biochemical Oxygen Demand, measures the amount of dissolved oxygen microorganisms needed to break down organic matter in water.
A high BOD means more pollution and less oxygen for aquatic life.
A low BOD means cleaner water.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) directs all States to maintain a BOD level below 3 mg/l.
The 2018 report placed Nambul stretch from Singda Dam to Bishnupur under Priority-II, and 8 others under Priority-V.
The Nambul River had a BOD that ranged between 3.6 and 23.7 mg/l.
The 8 other river stretches placed under Priority-V included--Imphal River stretch from Kangla Moat to Samurou; Iril River stretch from Kangla Siphai to Ukhrul; Khuga River stretch from Khuga lake to Churachandpur; Khujairok River stretch from Moreh to Maojang; Lokchao River stretch from Bishnupur to Loktak Lake; Manipur River stretch from Sekmaijin to Thoubal; Thoubal River stretch from Shong Khong to Phadom and Wangjing River stretch from Wangjing to Heirok.
Roshan further informed that the number of polluted river stretches increased from 9 to 13 in the 2022 report of the CPCB.
The 2022 report assessed 603 rivers Nationwide and identified 311 polluted stretches in 279 rivers.
2 rivers in Manipur were placed under Priority-IV and 11 others were placed under Priority-V in the report.
The BOD of Nambul River fell and water quality improved  slightly. As such, it was included in the Priority-IV while the BOD level of Imphal River was found rising--meaning the pollution level was increasing.
The 2022 report placed the following two river stretches under Priority-IV:
Imphal River stretch from Sekmai to Samurou (placed under Priority-V in 2018) ; and Nambul River stretch from Singda Dam to Bishnupur
The 11 other river stretches placed under Priority-V included:
Barak River stretch from Tamenglong to Senapati; Chakpi River stretch along Chakpikarong; Iril River stretch from Kangla Siphai  to Lilong; Khuga River stretch from Khuga Lake to Churachandpur; Khujairok River stretch along Moreh; Lokchao stretch along Bishnupur; Maha River stretch along Chandel; Manipur River stretch from Wangjing to Heirok; Sekmai River along Kakching; Thoubal River stretch from Litan to Phadom and Wangjing River stretch from Wangjing to Heirok
Following the identification of the polluted river stretches, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) directed the State to prepare action plans and maintain standard water quality, Roshan said.
In line with the direction, the State Environment and Climate Change and Public Health Engineering Department in response have prepared action plans to control pollution in Nambul, Imphal and Kongba River, Roshan said.
In addition, the State is installing sewerage and effluent treatment plants to counter river water contamination and pollution, he added.
Roshan said, the most effective measure to curb river water pollution is to implement proper sewage and effluent management systems which will help check discharge of harmful chemicals and pollutants into the rivers.
To this effect, the MPCB is implementing measures including monitoring the release of effluent from households, hotels, industries and hospitals, and taking action against violators, he said.
From April 1 to December 10 this year (2025), the MPCB has collected around Rs 3.07 lakh in fine from hospitals without ETP (effluent treatment plant) and entities which violated single-use plastic ban, Roshan said.
On the State action plan to clean rivers, State Environment and Climate Change Director T Brajakumar said Nambul River Rejuvenation project is being implemented to improve water quality.
Polluted water from Naga Nullah is being diverted and brought to the sewerage treatment plant at Heirangoithong for treatment and discharging the filtered water into Nambul River, he said.
Under the action plan for Imphal River and Kongba River, eco-embankments are being constructed and fences are being erected to deter people from throwing waste into the river, he added.
In Imphal Municipal areas, nets have been installed to trap waste from falling into rivers. Moreover, 15,000 households have been provided dustbins to encourage proper disposal of waste, and awareness is being raised to address river water pollution, he said.
While river water pollution has many environmental implications, it is also a huge public health problem.
With more rivers becoming polluted, people are finding less access to clean water for daily usage.
Not long ago, Kha-Sanjenbam villagers were able to use water from Waishel Maril freely and safely without any concern for their health. Today, most residents aren't using the water for fear of contracting water borne diseases.
Mutum Chaoba, 55, from Kongpal said people no longer are using water from Kongba river.
Some 10-15 years ago, people were using the water from the river for household purposes including bathing, cleaning utensils etc. Now, people are experiencing skin related problems after using the water, Chaoba said.
Dr Anupama Wahengbam and Dr Megha Puyam, senior Dermatologists at Shija Academy of Health Sciences, said they encounter many cases of water borne skin related issues and diseases at the institute.
The health experts said people should avoid using polluted water for bathing or other household purposes.
Using contaminated water may cause skin irritation, rashes and allergies. If it comes into contact with an open wound, it may cause serious infections, they said.