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Numaligarh Refinery Pollutes Dhansiri River, Threatens Ecosystem: Janani Live Reports

By AT News |

The Dhansiri River, a vital tributary of the Brahmaputra, is facing severe pollution due to industrial discharge from the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), as reported by Janani Live, a local news portal from Golaghat. The contamination has raised alarms among environmentalists and local communities dependent on the river for irrigation and drinking water.

Growing Pollution Crisis:According to Janani Live, untreated effluents from the refinery have been flowing into the Dhansiri, increasing chemical toxicity and degrading water quality. The river, which originates in Nagaland and flows through Golaghat and Dimapur, is already burdened by urban sewage, agricultural runoff, and sand mining. However, industrial pollution from NRL has exacerbated the crisis, endangering aquatic life and public health.

Residents near Panka village, close to the refinery, reported visible oil spills in the river. "The water has turned murky, and fish populations are declining," said a local fisherman. Activists allege that despite complaints, authorities have failed to enforce stricter regulations on waste disposal.

Threat to Biodiversity :The Dhansiri supports diverse aquatic species, including 34 types of fish, but pollution has led to the disappearance of indigenous varieties like the Sihu fish. Experts warn that unchecked contamination could devastate the river’s ecosystem and affect the Brahmaputra downstream.

Government Response: While the Nagaland government has formed a River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) to address pollution, Assam’s authorities are yet to take concrete action against NRL. The Centre has approved projects for sewage treatment in Dimapur, but industrial discharge remains a critical issue.

Environmentalists, including activist Abhijit Rabha, have long urged the district administration to intervene. In 2014, Rabha documented oil spills near the refinery and submitted a memorandum to the Golaghat Deputy Commissioner, but little has changed.

Janani Live highlights the urgent need for sustainable river management and stricter industrial compliance. Locals demand immediate measures to curb pollution before the Dhansiri’s condition becomes irreversible.
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Credit: Janani Live, Golaghat
(This news report is based on coverage by Janani Live. For more details, visit their platform - https://www.jananilive.com)

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