The rampant coal mining in Nagaland, coupled with waste discharge from tea estates and encroachment have been sounding death knells for River Bhogdoi in Assam.
Context
The rampant coal mining in Nagaland, coupled with waste discharge from tea estates and encroachment have been sounding death knells for River Bhogdoi in Assam.
Important facts about the river
- River Bhogdoi is one of the south bank tributaries of the mighty river Brahmaputra.
- It originates from Mokokchung in Nagaland where it is also known as Tsujenyong nullah.
- The total catchment area of the inter-state river (flowing between Assam and Nagaland) is 1,545 square kilometres and travels 160 kilometres before joining Dhansiri river near its confluence with Brahmaputra.
Brahmaputra River
- The Brahmaputra River is a long transboundary river in the Continent of Asia.
- It flows through the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, India, and Bangladesh.
- The river originates in the Lake Manasarovar region close to Mount Kailash and finally drains into the Bay of Bengal.
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Reasons behind the situation
- Massive encroachments along the river bank
- Laxity of administration in keeping a check on encroachments
- Disposing of human excreta and cremating dead bodies
- Water pollution
- Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
- Biochemical oxygen demand is the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria and other microorganisms while they decompose organic matter under aerobic conditions.
- The high BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) indicates low water quality and less oxygen for aquatic life.
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In 2019, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change declared Bhogdoi as one of the most polluted rivers in Assam and 351st among the polluted rivers in the country.
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