Chite Lui River is in danger as it turns into a dumping ground in Aizawl. Citizens’ efforts, lauded even by PM Modi, are making a difference but more is needed to save it from dying
The Chite Lui River has turned into a small stream due to encroachments on its banks. Photo by Gurvinder Singh Samir Gachi makes a living by washing vehicles at Chite Veng village on the outskirts of Aizawl in Mizoram. The 32-year-old who hails from Nepal earns around Rs 800 every day by washing 15 vehicles.
His garage is located close to Chite Lui River and he uses the water from the river to wash the four-wheelers. After cleaning the vehicles, the dirty water is also drained into the same river. But Gachi is unmindful of the fact that his business is polluting Chite Lui that holds an important place in the lives of the people of Mizoram.
Samir Gachi takes water from the river to wash vehicles and drains the dirty water back into the water body. Photo by Gurvinder Singh
Gachi is not alone in adding to the pollution of the river. Eateries and garage owners who run their shops a few metres from the river also empty their used water into the water body, destroying its aquatic life.
Chite Lui is not just a river for the people of the hilly northeastern state. It holds sentimental values for them.
Situated in an alluvial valley at an altitude of about 1,000 metres, the river starts its journey from Bawngkawn range in north Aizawl and flows for around 20 km in eastern Aizawl before joining River Tuirial at the southern end of the city.
The river is close to the heart of the local population. Popular Mizo poet Rokunga wrote verses about Chite Lui. Stories and songs about the river are popular in Mizoram and even among the Mizo tribes in Myanmar.
Unplanned construction activities are contributing to the pollution of Chite Lui, says H. Chhante, a resident of Aizawl. Photo by Gurvinder Singh
“We used to sit on the bank of the river for several hours after returning from school and throw pebbles into it as a pastime. But now the river hardly has any water except during the monsoon,” said H. Chhante, 61, a local resident, sharing his childhood memories.
Chhante blames unplanned urbanisation and encroachments and business establishments situated close to the river for destroying it.
The construction works being carried out on the banks and even on the river bed bear testimony to his words. The river serves as a dumping ground for several houses and shops located nearby.
Encroachments and construction activities close to the river lead to waste being dumped in the river. Photo by Gurvinder Singh
“The state government is not taking enough steps to save the river. Chite Lui holds cultural values for us and should be saved at all costs,” Chhante said.
Zoram Research Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for traditional water management in Mizoram, began an initiative to save the river in 2007.
“We were aghast to see the condition of the river and decided to save it. We tried to create awareness at all levels in order to get support from the people and political parties. The results were not very satisfactory initially,” Rochamliana, the general secretary of the foundation, said.
But slowly the local people began to understand the importance of the river and the necessity to keep it clean.
Rochamliana added that the volunteers of the organisation along with local residents began periodic campaigns to clean the river banks and found that 80 percent of the waste comprised plastic. A plastic road — the first in the state — was also constructed last year from the polythene waste retrieved from the river at Reiek village.
Rampant constructions on the banks and on the river bed are destroying the river. Photo by Gurvinder Singh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised the citizens’ efforts to save the river. In the 90th edition of his monthly radio programme, Mann ki Baat, in June last year, he mentioned the Save Chite Lui action plan to save the river that had been turned into a landfill.
Rochamliana however feels that a lot more has to be done to create awareness about the river and save it from dying.
Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, a retired bureaucrat who has started the Save Mizo Rivers campaign, said it is essential to save the rivers of Mizoram as the state completely depends on them.
Plastic makes up most of the solid waste in Chite Lui River. Photo by Gurvinder Singh
“We are a hilly state and our water needs are met by the streams and rivers. Drying of rivers is a major concern for us as it is already leading to water scarcity in our state. The government should show enough seriousness in saving our traditional sources of water,” he said.
He further pointed out that Aizawl is expanding rapidly but the solid waste management measures are not enough, which in turn is polluting the rivers.
When contacted, senior government officials said they are looking into the matter.
“We are already serious about the issue of saving our rivers as we depend on them for drinking and other requirements. The government is taking suitable measures to save Chite Lui and other rivers in the state,” an official from the Chite Lui Coordination Committee said.
This story first appeared on Village Square and is part of a series to highlight inspiring stories about the environment in rural India.
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