Gangtok, Dec. 4: The scenic mountain beauty
of the region is added and nurtured by the sacred waters of
the Teesta River. It is the lifeline of Sikkim that flow in
the entire length of the state carving out beautiful valleys
across the Himalayan region. Sadly, though the tourists might
still be able to derive the pleasure of the magnificent landscape,
it might not be so with the magnificent and wild Teesta which
is being polluted everyday.
The Central Pollution Control Board has
brought out a report called “Highlights 2004”,
which states that the pollution level in the river is above
the standard parameter i.e., 3mg/liter. The report was made
on the basis of inputs received from the Monitoring of Indian
Nation Aquatic Resources (MINARAS) located at nine strategic
locations along the routes of the river. Efforts have been
lacking to check the pollution rate.
According to the State Pollution Control
Board (SPCB), the main cause of the pollution is the direct
dumping of wastes and garbage in the river. The dumping starts
from Chungthang in North Sikkim and gradually increases as
the Teesta flows through Gangtok, Ranipool, Singtam and Rangpo.
Due to lack of adequate sewage treatment and waste management
facilities the river is losing its natural balance and purity.
A top official of the SPCB said that, apart
from the governments intiative, people should also cooperate
and take active participation in restoring the ecological
balance of the region. For the purpose awareness programs
have been organized by SPCB all over Sikkim. The aim is to
educate local people and students about the efforts to protect
the natural ecology as responsible custodians of natural wealth. |
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