States » EastPosted at: Jun 9 2025 6:47PM


Nagaland study urges urgent action to restore polluted Dhansiri river

Kohima, June 9 (UNI) Urbanisation, agricultural runoff, domestic waste, and poor drainage systems are taking their toll on Dhansiri river, a major river in Northeast India, a team of researchers from Nagaland University has said, calling for relocation of dumping sites and prohibition of direct trash discharge.
They also suggested adoption of advanced wastewater treatment techniques, improving of drainage systems and establishment of robust regional water management policies, according to a Nagaland University media release.
They had evaluated the river water quality after conducting a comprehensive year-round study by using the Water Quality Index (WQI) at upstream, midstream, and downstream locations. The findings highlighted critical water degradation, making the river unfit for human use in many areas.
Led by Dr. M. Romeo Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, Nagaland University, the research emphasised that implementing their recommendations could restore the river's ecosystem, reduce health risks, enhance agricultural sustainability, and serve as a model for reviving other neglected rivers in India.
Some of the study's results have also been published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, said the release.
Elaborating on the research, Dr. M Romeo Singh said, "We found that various water quality parameters, including turbidity and total alkalinity, exceeded national and World Health OrganiSation (WHO) guidelines, particularly in the summer months. The downstream areas were primarily affected, categorising the water as ‘non-potable’ and ‘unfit for consumption’, highlighting the urgent need for improved water quality".

“Water quality improved in winter and drastically declined in summer, attributed to increased runoff and elevated temperatures impacting metrics such as turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Turbidity surpassed the allowable threshold in all seasons, although total alkalinity (TA) exceeded restrictions during winter.”
Dr Singh further said, “This study serves as an essential basis for the sustainable restoration of the Dhansiri River and comparable neglected water bodies in India. If its recommendations are executed, it can initiate a paradigm of river restoration that integrates scientific knowledge, community engagement, and policy reform, thereby benefiting society and enhancing the nation's resilience to environmental stresses.”
The researcher added, “Implementing the measures we had suggested for the Dhansiri River can substantially enhance the welfare of the residential populations and the overall environmental health of the mation.
Cleaner water will reduce the risk of diseases and support sustainable agriculture through safer irrigation and efforts to control pollution will facilitate ecological restoration, improving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, he added. UNI AJ SSP
Tags: #Nagaland study urges urgent action to restore polluted Dhansiri river
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