“IF WE CANNOT STOP THE WASTE AT ITS SOURCE, WE WILL WATCH UMIAM LAKE SLOWLY LOSE ITS LIFE.”
Mawdun, October 13: In a determined effort to protect the future of Umiam Lake, the Green-Tech Foundation (GTF), in collaboration with the residents and villagers of Mawdun, conducted a mass clean-up drive today at Wah Iap-Ngor, where waste transported by Wah Umkhrah and Wah Umshyrpi accumulates before dispersing across the surface of Wah Umiam.
The initiative focuses on intercepting and removing accumulated waste at a critical point before currents and water movement carry it further across the reservoir. This is a crucial intervention to reduce the spread of floating waste into Umiam Lake, one of Meghalaya’s most important water bodies and the reservoir supporting the state’s 172 MW Umiam hydropower installation.
The clean-up is part of the Foundation’s continued commitment to protecting Umiam Lake through practical, community-driven environmental action. Rather than simply witnessing the deteriorating condition of the reservoir, GTF and the people of Mawdun have chosen to act on the ground.
Speaking on the initiative, H. Bansiewdor Nonglang, Chairman of Green-Tech Foundation, expressed deep concern over the lake’s present condition and the long-term implications for the state’s hydropower infrastructure.
“As a Foundation, we cannot simply stand by and watch the condition of Umiam Lake deteriorate. Every year, substantial quantities of sediment enter the reservoir, with estimates indicating more than 40,000 cubic metres annually. This raises a serious question about the long-term sustainability of a hydropower reservoir that is so important to Meghalaya’s electricity supply.
“Today, we are not here merely to conduct another cleaning drive. We are here because we believe that every tonne of waste we remove, every stretch of the river we restore, and every intervention we make to prevent further pollution is a step towards protecting Umiam Lake.
“We intend to continue our clean-up efforts and remove as much waste as we can. If we can prevent even hundreds of tonnes of waste from spreading across the lake, that would be a significant achievement. But let us be clear: cleaning up the waste is only part of the solution. Preventing it from entering the lake in the first place must become our priority.”
A LAKE CANNOT BE PROTECTED FROM A VIEWPOINT ALONE
The Chairman further emphasised that the visible beauty of Umiam Lake from popular viewpoints must not distract people from the environmental challenges taking place beyond what the eye can see.
“When we look at Umiam from viewpoints such as Ryndang Briew, we see its beauty. But the real condition of the lake cannot be understood from a viewpoint alone. Beneath that beautiful landscape lies a growing environmental challenge involving waste accumulation, sedimentation and the continuous pressure on the reservoir ecosystem.
“We must ask ourselves: how did we allow this situation to develop, and what are we collectively prepared to do about it? Are we going to stand by, point fingers and watch our lake deteriorate? No. We cannot afford to do that any longer.
“This is not about blaming the Government, the public or any particular individual. It is about recognising the seriousness of the problem and accepting that protecting Umiam requires collective responsibility, scientific intervention and sustained action.”
SHILLONG MUST WAKE UP: UMIAM IS MORE THAN A TOURIST DESTINATION
The Foundation has made a strong appeal to the residents of Shillong, government departments, environmental organisations, community groups, civil society organisations and all concerned stakeholders to unite in protecting the lake.
“Especially to the people of Shillong, we appeal to you to wake up to the reality of Umiam Lake. This reservoir is not merely a scenic destination for tourism and recreation. It is part of the infrastructure that supports our electricity supply, while also carrying significant ecological and environmental value.
“If we want to continue enjoying the benefits of this reservoir, we must also be willing to protect it. We cannot celebrate its beauty today while ignoring the pollution and sedimentation that threaten its future.
“We urge the Government to bring together the residents of Shillong, concerned communities, technical experts, environmental organisations and all relevant stakeholders to develop a coordinated and sustained programme to protect Umiam Lake. This cannot be the responsibility of one Foundation or one village alone. It requires a collective response on a scale that matches the seriousness of the problem,” he added
FROM BLAME TO ACTION: A CALL FOR LONG-TERM RESTORATION
Green-Tech Foundation stressed that Umiam Lake requires more than occasional clean-up drives. It needs an integrated, scientifically guided restoration strategy that addresses pollution at its source and the environmental pressures affecting the reservoir.
The Foundation called for:
– River rejuvenation and waste interception: Sustained interventions along Wah Umkhrah and Wah Umshyrpi to reduce the movement of solid waste into Umiam Lake.
– Scientific sedimentation assessment and management: Regular monitoring of sediment inflow, reservoir bathymetry and storage-capacity changes, followed by technically appropriate sediment-management measures.
– Catchment afforestation and restoration: Protection of forested areas, restoration of degraded land and measures to control soil erosion and sediment runoff.
– Continuous waste collection and prevention: Regular clean-up operations, responsible waste management and effective mechanisms to prevent waste from entering rivers.
– Stakeholder coordination and public participation: A common platform involving the Government, local communities, technical institutions, environmental groups and civil society to coordinate long-term action.
The Foundation also emphasised the need to prioritise ecological restoration and the protection of critical hydropower infrastructure over development that could place additional pressure on the reservoir. Proposals for luxury hotels or other major developments must be assessed carefully against the lake’s environmental condition, carrying capacity and long-term public interest.
“Umiam does not need us to compete over who is responsible for its condition. It needs us to work together to change that condition. We need river rejuvenation, afforestation, scientific sediment management and continuous waste interception. We need solutions that address the causes, not just the visible symptoms.
“Development must be guided by the realities of the place. Umiam is a hydropower reservoir and an ecological asset of immense importance to Meghalaya. Its protection must come before any ambition that could compromise its long-term sustainability.
We cannot build a future for Meghalaya by neglecting the very natural resources that sustain it.”
OUR UMIAM NEEDS ALL OF US
Green-Tech Foundation reiterated its commitment to working alongside the people of Mawdun and other concerned communities to protect Umiam Lake through practical environmental action, public awareness and sustained restoration efforts.
The Foundation urged all citizens to move beyond blame, indifference and temporary expressions of concern and instead become active participants in protecting the reservoir.
The message is simple: Umiam Lake cannot be saved by one village, one organisation or one clean-up drive. It requires collective commitment, consistent action and long-term planning.
If we allow the lake to deteriorate while doing nothing, the consequences will not remain confined to the lake. They will affect the environment, the communities that depend on it and the future sustainability of a vital hydropower resource.
Let us stop treating Umiam Lake merely as a beautiful landscape to admire. Let us recognise it as a lifeline to protect. Its future depends on what we do today.
Issued by:
Green-Tech Foundation (GTF)
Meghalaya, India
