Staggering 10,377 pollution sources along Menik Ganga

by Ifham Nizam

A staggering 10,377 pollution sources have been identified along the Menik Ganga, according to a study.

A study by the Ministry of Environment, its Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that 60 places along the Menik River had been identified as erosion sites, 55 illegal sand and gem mining sites, and 31 landfills for urban waste.

Dr. Jasinghe visited Kataragama recently to attend the launch of the Surakimu Ganga programme by the Ministry of Environment to conserve the entire river system.

He informed Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera that there were a number of sources polluting the banks and waters of the Menik Ganga with nearly 10 garbage disposal sites on its banks.

It was also discussed that the water in the Menik Ganga was always discoloured due to illegal sand mining in the upper reaches of it and the situation had become very serious with drinking water problem of the people in the area getting aggravated.

Plans are underway to implement a number of programmes for the conservation of the Menik Ganga, the primary source of water for Kataragama and the adjacent areas.