SHILLONG, April 18 � A massive campaign is on the anvil to save two major streams � Umkhrah and Umshyrpi � flowing through Shillong, official campaigners said today.
To begin with, the first public campaign will be held on April 21 at Polo Grounds here coinciding with World Earth Day.
Prominent NGOs, district councils, traditional and educational institutions, individuals and the government have come together for the first time in a joint and participative move to save the streams from pollution subjected to for the past century.
The Umkhrah and Umshyrpi streams were literally turned into dirty drains over decades of abuse and the campaign is aimed at creating mass awareness and to launch effective action programmes to protect and preserve the river systems.
�All of us who love Shillong must act now and act together as a united citizenry,� Toki Blah, convener of a task force on �Save Umkhrah/Umshyrpi Campaign� said at a media conference at the Shillong Press Club today.
�The rally is being organised to highlight that as concerned citizens we will not allow our streams to die,� Blah said, urging the people to set up clubs in their respective localities to spread awareness.
�It�s the people throughout the entire catchment areas who are responsible for the death of both the streams,� environment activist Naba Bhattacharjee said. � PTI
