Grandpa who do we blame now?

The politicians or the masses?

None like to be point

Or is it the joker? 

~Mawi Thomte

Standing on the bridge overlooking the Lanva River would not give the onlooker the thought that this was once a river flowing in abundance beautifully, catering the needs of the town and all the villages it flows through. The Lanva River, once a hotspot for the people and its adjacent areas has lost its pristine quality and become a dumping site instead. To tell the story of what Lanva was once is like narrating a myth, a folktale, due to its pathetic look now. A young river but has long history with the habitants of Lamka. And now, the river almost become a piece of history. It has become a concern for all but the work of none.

How many lies till it becomes the truth?  How many progress till we're developed? How many games till we learn to play? How many people to make a change? ~Mawi Thomte

Many reasons could be accorded for the downfall of the river. The withering process of the river is not natural but man-made. The people that are to protect and preserve it are the one that destroy the town heritage into a pitiable condition. The town filled with street philosophers that knows what happens around the world and lack not on the pool of debatable policies and a plethora of organizations, including NGOs and philanthropic organization continues to turn blind eye and remain dispassionate about the river and its continuous degradation. Lanva River suffers indiscriminately infront of their eyes, tangible, yet nothing has been done to save it. While it does not require an education or a special knowledge, experiment or extensive research to know that the river is in grave state, but takes an eye to see what is in it. ‘Climate change’ and ‘environment issues’ are not strange words but mistakenly viewed as a global thing, that a small town like Lamka has no contribution towards it. It is regarded as an issue to be tackled by the government and big corporate industries and that individual plays an insignificant role in it. Unchecked deforestation in the catchment area has its contribution in the depletion of the river into a trickle during summer and a moment of flash flood during monsoon. Afforestation program in the catchment area and along the river will help in regeneration of the river and check on further illegal encroachment. Restored biodiversity continues to remain a hope for Lanva.

Due to rampant quarrying of the riverbed for decades, it has had its impact on the natural depth of the river and affecting the ecological balance of the river. The river floor is unequally spread with certain places deeper due to the collection of sand and stones. It has been exploited to a large extent causing destruction and posing threat to the lives of the inhabitants around. The Government has had issued notifications regarding the illegal quarrying but blatant disregard for the law and failure to take action, the implementation of such ordinances are yet to be seen. Big businessmen flourish on the depletion of the River, truckloads of shingles are collected daily. The large exploitation of the river for sand and stones could not be met with the natural regeneration. Also, there are families that depend on the river for their livelihood, mainly the women forces. They collect stones from the river and manually crush them and later sell it by tin earning a marginal income for the family. Therefore, such intertwined and complex issues needs both subjective and objective way of handling so as to promote and enable employment while saving the river and protect it from being exploited.

The biggest threat the river has is of the excessive encroachment done along the river-way narrowing the water path causing disaster and unprecedented calamities. The impact of the flood is mostly felt along the Lanva rivulet, particularly by those who have encroached upon the river course. It has almost become a ritual during monsoon season of the flashflood claiming lives of young children and inundating the neighboring localities on the bank of the river causing casualties. Lives and property of the inhabitants of the area are put at risk. The river becomes a natural time bomb ready to explode during monsoon when the town experience incessant torrential rain causing flood throughout the town. The authorities are failing to act against the encroachers and turn blind eye on the rivers being encroached, as inhabitants conveniently extend their land. The wealthiest are able to construct embankment and protect themselves from the seasonal strong flow of the water current, however the poor and weak houses that has minimal protection against the river are badly affected and often have to seek shelter elsewhere during the rainy season. In places that doesn’t have the luxury of embankments, they have to deal the double force and flood becomes a disaster.

The dire state of Lanva River has not been made a political concern because the most effected people are ignorant and the rich and policy makers gain from it. Unsurprisingly, the river is a reflection of fail policies and misadministration of the town. It is not just a result of ignorance and negligence, but of shrewd and selfish policies of the town’s big ‘fishes’. Incomprehensible and unplanned project that does not attribute to development but destruction of the river is an evident sight. Retaining walls on the riverbed demarcating the private land and unnecessary dams could be seen constructed along the route. In some places the space between the retaining wall has the same size  to that of drainage/nullah and the river lost its name. It is made to fight for its areas against the humans.

“Embankments confined rivers and cause them to rise higher and flow faster”. - Charles Ellet Jr. Without embankments river flows naturally. The extensive encroachment has made it needful in some areas and while such construction should not be a necessity at first. Clearly, it was channel of income for some contractor that knows the ‘system’ and how to deceive it. Considering the contractor is unaware of the numerous laws, as usually seen in Manipur, the agency that allow such constructions to take place is questionable, a blatant violation of the law. Small dams are constructed on the river along the route. They may have had their purposes but the question remains, Is it necessary? The recently built dam on the down shore of the river that is to serve as an irrigation purpose for the agricultural land is farcical. It lies in the low lying areas adjacent to the road and clogs the water, obstructing the free flow. The water blocked is filled with garbage and algae, making it unhygienic and reeks the area of foul smell. And it doesn’t have a side-wall built to prevent water from flooding the muddy road Unfortunately, we have a lawless society supported by state lawlessness.

Grandpa, will nature take its course again? Or the modernity takes it all? Do people ever really Love? Was it said more but never enough? ~Mawi Thomte

What could be seen and felt by all is the turning of the river into a dumping site during dry season. Dumping of garbage on the river and riverbed close to the habitat area has polluted the river and contaminate it. Household wastes and waste from commercial houses by the riverside are discharges directly into it. Sights of solid waste dumped on the river could be seen through the length and breadth of the river. The people need to be educated on the risk it possess and strict regulations against the matter is the need of the hour- on what immediate measures could be done to save Lanva River. Earlier, river water was fit even for kitchen use, however, it become so polluted for use and unfit. Mount of wastes are deposited into the river which is kept for the monsoon rain to perform its seasonal cleansing. The government, community organizations and youth clubs has, so far, fail to check the depletion of the river cause by dumping of garbage. The people remain ignorant and uncooperative. The town has been facing scarcity of potable water and is on the verge of facing water scarcity if no proper measures are taken into. Increase in water supply related industries is a worrisome and unwelcomed growth as a resource that was in abundance for all becomes a scarcity due to our ignorance. It further adds burden to the environment as it is said bottled water companies do not produce water, they produce plastic bottles. “Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink”- ST Coleridge ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’.

Lanva River, if it continues to be exploited and remains unchecked, will not survive another decade. The river run dries except during monsoon, when then, experience a strong flow of water current and runs off soon within days as the river ecology is gravely disturbed, and the riverbeds are filled with human habitation. The practice of quarrying, which cease in the town area, but continues in the catchment area and uphill posing grave threat to the survival of the river should be checked and regulate by the government. The philanthropic organizations should take the task of assisting the government and monitor the dumping of garbage by the local residents and impose fine to such individuals. Constructions in the name of development should be properly assessed and weighted on the actual uses and necessity and the cost it will concur. Wide awareness program and disaster management programs should be conducted among the townsfolk; especially to the people living close to the river, as a call for immediate measure to mitigate the disastrous nature of the river. The people continue to face the disaster and when calamities occur, the philanthropic organizations take up the role of management and response to it. Perhaps it’s time we stop normalizing the yearly destruction and encroachment alongside and act not react to casualties. We need to preserve our natural resources for the generation to come.

A river with such importance, that once has the life of the people evolve around it degrade into a despicable state is unimaginable. It needs the care and protection of all the people and calls on to the policy makers as well. Only the government will not be able to protect the river, the will and action of the people is also required equally—if not more. Save the environment for your livelihood, protect it and it will provide.

Author’s Note: 

This was penned down after a visit and seeing the pitiable condition of the river and the author doesn’t claim any expertise in the field. Thoughts are personal and not against anyone in particular, but if it hurts the sentiment of any readers feel free to take the necessary steps for the betterment of Lanva River and Thank you. Google research was done if any articles has been published and on news item, however as it was done randomly, sources are not maintained and kept. The article is on blog after a year since it was written and sources could not be retraced. For that I regret the ignorance on my part a year ago. Thankful to a dear friend Cindy for having this publish in her blog page.

                                     ~Mawi Thomte

In many tongues they speak

Yet use one name to call me

Mother, Mother, Mother, said they

Till they grow in plenty and became greedy

I sheltered them and they conquered me

My ceaseless grace they shunned

And bared my hills like their heartless self

Now mounts of garbage instead of trees

Mother, they called me, but set me on fire still

But the longer it takes the fire to consume

Their horrors spiraled the more instead

Poisoned men and choking children

Songs and folktales are all they have

To make amends with their Mother

As they sink me in their faults

Spiteful, violent, and unapologetic

Hello You,

To save you from a big disappointment in the end, let me be clear of this first, this is not your usual writer—Cindy. Stranger to the world of blogging, an undeniable privilege was extended to me (after receiving numerous enjoin from her and having every conversation thereafter with `write an article on that for the blog`). While trying to write, my thoughts keep changing from one to another. I started off by writing about one thing and found myself on another topic. It has been more than a year since I penned down anything or even ponder on ‘stuffs’. My writings were mainly because I have to do it as there was no other option—assignments and notes. Therefore, these are scattered thoughts from a half decent homosapien who tries to be a good friend.

My heart rest in the hills And my identity rooted deep The blowing breeze gives me chill And grant me the strength to love thee ~Mawi Thomte

On notes from the first blog post, Cindy rightly describes our little venture as ‘driven by curiosity and love for nature’ when we scaled Lanva River within the town area and the waste dumping site under ADC Churachandpur. 

It was an utter disappointment to see the despicable condition of the river and the threatening and hazardous way the town waste has been handled by the district administrators, though we are also glad that such initiative of collecting household wastes began. 

The workers on the site are literally risking every minutes of their life. Up on the hill is an elevated mount of garbage, which contains all types of wastes. And they are expected to burn them all to ashes without being provided any preventive equipment except gasoline; as we learnt from a short conversation with them. 

The site run the risk of destroying the agricultural land below and it’s a question whether there is a run-off of polluted chemical-liquid waste and joins Khuga River( the source of the town’s water supply) not far off; one has a view of the river down below and pass through the Dam trying to reach the place. How precarious!

View of agricultural land right below where the wastes are burnt. The waste that failed to burn to ashes are being scrapped down the steep mountain slope by workers without protective gear

A scenic view of Khuga river from the dumping site

View of the town from the dumping site

I have the privilege to spend days on farm land, hiking and trailing mountain and stream. The experiences is not something I could find words for, to quote Robert L. Stevenson ‘It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men`s heart, as for that subtle something- that quality of air, that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit’. On one not so recently, while surveying a land accompanying a friend, we were trailing a stream, though it was dry season and there was not much water in it. I enjoyed every bit despite being the weakest, running out of breath several times (only) and stopping almost at every convenient spot. 

What initially was supposed to be a morning walk ended up almost till noon and we went back famished and exhausted. For a girl—born and brought up in Lamka, having no experience to talk about the rustic village life, nature—like the rustling trees, or the rocks on the stream, and the sound of the falling water in the deep forest, is a chance to live the memories of tales from grandparents. The admiration and passion for nature and environment is not due to a recent study or experiences, in fact, this old love is what makes the experiences worthwhile and priceless. I haven’t been to many places, but from the few I have visited, and much I have seen through other people’s lens, our land offers beauty in all places. The land is mesmerizing and the scenic beauty that surrounds us is such a waste not to be admired. 

Do not forget to pause a moment in your day to look around; the sky, the hills and the valleys –you will find beauty you’ve never seen. Nature offers us infinite beauty each day, one unlike the past. I fear the beauty of our land will be discovered by outsiders and non-inhabitant before we do and fail to gain from it as well. We haven’t crossed the town yet in our description and the rural side offers a lot more, adventure tourism may be unheard to us, but it has lots of potential and people flock to such terrains for it.  Stanza from the poem ‘Elegy Written in the Country Churchyard’ by Thomas Gray is a reflection of ours-

“Full many a gem of purest ray serene,

The dark unfathom’d caves of ocean bear:

Full many a flowe’r is born to blush unseen,

And waste its sweetness on the desert air.”

Hiking, outdoor activities or physical exercises has gain momentum, partly due to COVID induced Lockdown compelling everyone to stay indoors and with shutting down of schools, institution and business houses, we have extra time at our disposal. The surrounding hills that have remained unnoticed and isolated saw many new faces. During our childhood days, M-Mual/M-Mountain has a tale that the evil spirits inhabit the mountain and that no one dared stay there. Now, it has become one of the most trekked hills, for it being the highest peak. People, especially the youths have a new re-connection with nature. 

View from M-Mual

However, as humans do best, we pollute every place that we have been. Nature doesn’t require the protection of humans if at first it was not invaded. However due to the increasing growth in population and the need for infrastructural development, it could not be left alone as we need more space for habitation and  also the growing industries- which could not be neglected and ignored for want of environmental equilibrium and rich ecosystem. Both are a necessity and one must be able to look through both the lens and find balance. Such is the state we’re in—economy concern us much more than ecology. Therefore, what is required is a sustainable action from our part. We blame big industries and factories or metropolitan cities for causing global warming while deforestation is considered part of our ‘tradition’. Shifting cultivation is practiced and cutting down of trees for coal and other use is rampant. We haven’t been able to work out on an alternate ways, not cool! Globally, the main reason for increase in deforestation is due to agricultural expansion. If we consider our land and population density, practice of shifting cultivation seems like something we can ignore, however, such agricultural activities also indicates that our year long labor results in meager production that hardly sustain the family and we are left with a chain of wounded hills. Majority of us are still practicing subsistence farming and few of us are able to cultivate cash crop. And the lesser still, the richer folks, are able to own a plantation or farm for commercial purpose. We haven’t found ‘Market’ for large production or create one. In town, we live in a land plot and few of the households have kitchen garden. One thing that I wonder is why haven’t we practice terrace cultivation atleast in some areas even if not all, when our land isn`t as slope as we have seen on some of our neighboring states or countries.

Path to M-Mual

Concern on the environment is an extra challenge for us as we transitioned from tradition to modern. I remember my highschool teacher telling us that, for want of a few flora and fauna we cannot be against infrastructural development when he talked about the proposed Tipaimukh Dam which is supposed to be the biggest dam. However, judging by how the Khuga Multi-purpose Dam has been utilized so far, we clearly don’t need a new Dam just for the sake of ‘development’ that will feed the contractors and took decade to reach the people on alternate days. Slowly, but surely we see new infrastructural development. Economical independent is our only thought forgetting our dependence on environment. I am not against infrastructure development or progress per se, but on unnecessary exploitation of environment that doesn’t meet the need of the people. Lamka has seen unprecedented growth in every sphere, it has become the hotspot where people migrate for want of better education and livelihood. Our villages are deserted as we all cram together here in town finding every possible job to earn a livelihood. No one is to blame except for the politicians and leaders living in the comfort of their house making our villages and town too easy to ignore and neglect. Dependent economy on the mercy of the incompetent State corrupts us in ways we did not think about. We cause self-harm to ourselves with our mindset of expecting that we are to be fed everything we want and that too will appear magically at nightfall.

To add a little side note, one thing that COVID pandemic taught us is that we took too many things for granted, the little things are what makes this life big. Tradition and culture aren`t as big as we once thought, it evolve and change as the need arise. A simple handshake or a courteous smile when we meet known faces in the road is all covered inside the mask now. Things change and we need to stand alone to stay together. Our environment and the rich biodiversity continued to be taken for granted and destroyed as we explore more. So, which part do you want to play?