20 years of Swarnarekha Mahotsav: Saryu Roy addresses seminar organized in Milanee Hall
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Jan 14: On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Swarnarekha Mahotsav, a seminar was held in Milanee Hall, where Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy highlighted the urgent need to keep rivers clean and free-flowing. Speaking at the event, Roy urged the public to dedicate at least one day every month to cleaning the banks of rivers, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating state of the environment.
“Today, the condition of the environment is very sad. Rivers must remain clean and uninterrupted for the sake of the people,” said Roy. He emphasized the importance of public participation, recalling how 20 years ago, people mocked efforts to collect water samples, which are now being conducted by many NGOs.
Roy raised concerns over the growing pollution in local rivers, especially pointing to the situation at Pandey Ghat, where household waste is carelessly dumped along the riverbank, ultimately flowing into the river. “We have made rivers a place to dump household waste. This is unacceptable. The garbage that ends up in the river contaminates the water we drink,” he remarked.
He also noted the detrimental effects of rapid urbanization and development on rivers, citing the example of the Kharkai river, which he claimed transforms into a drain after rains due to excessive waste accumulation. “The flow of the river starts breaking because of the garbage, turning it into a drain instead of a river,” he said.
Rabindranath Choubey, an environmental advocate, supported Roy’s views, emphasizing that the dumping of puja materials into rivers contributes significantly to pollution. He suggested that a system like the one in Gujarat should be implemented in Jharkhand, where cameras track and prevent the disposal of such materials into the water.
Dr. Muralidhar Kedia expressed concern over the contamination of rivers from garbage in local areas like Bagbera, Mango and Jugsalai, which he said ultimately affects the water quality of Swarnarekha River. He urged the government to set up water treatment plants across the city to address these issues.
Senior BJP leader Dr. Dineshanand Goswami warned of the long-term consequences of unchecked environmental degradation. He noted how earlier generations believed in the purity of natural water, but today, people struggle to access clean water.
Dr. Dinesh Chandra Mishra, a renowned environmentalist, emphasized the spiritual and traditional significance of rivers in Indian culture. “Rivers are the mother of the world, but we have failed to preserve them,” he said, pointing out that there is no river left whose water can be safely consumed.
The seminar concluded with Ashok Goyal, trustee of the Swarnarekha Area Development Trust, giving the welcome speech, followed by Subodh Srivastava as the stage conductor and Ashutosh Rai delivering the vote of thanks.
