An action plan has been prepared to address pollution in a 3.8-km stretch of the Kulsi River near Kukurmara along National Highway 37. The plan, prepared in response to directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), outlines steps to improve water quality and manage environmental impact in the region.
The identified polluted stretch lies within the Kulsi-Deosila sub-basin, part of the Brahmaputra river system. The sub-basin spans parts of Kamrup and Goalpara districts in Assam and adjoining districts in Meghalaya. The river system comprises tributaries Khri, Krishniya and Umsiri, which originate in the West Khasi Hills before flowing northward to join the Brahmaputra.
The polluted section—extending from Bangalkata to Ziakur No. 1—was flagged under the Central Pollution Control Board’s monitoring due to high levels of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), recorded occasionally above the permissible limit of 3 mg/l. According to the action plan, flooding during monsoon seasons is one of the primary contributors to increased organic load in the water.
No industrial activities have been identified in the 500-metre periphery of the catchment area. The region is rural and sparsely populated, with approximately 2,875 residents across several villages such as Ghopla, Dekarkuchi, and Kendukona. Given the low population density and absence of industrial estates, domestic sewage and solid waste are the primary pollutants. Most households rely on soak pits or natural percolation methods for sewage management, and there are no municipal sewage treatment plants in the area.
The action plan includes:
- Groundwater quality monitoring and promotion of rooftop rainwater harvesting
- Afforestation along riverbanks to prevent soil erosion
- Prohibition of waste disposal in floodplain zones
- Public awareness campaigns on waste management and sanitation
- Floodplain demarcation and regulation of encroachments
Although no major drains or sewers were found to be discharging into the Kulsi River in this section, septic tanks and sanitation coverage under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have been cited as ongoing interventions. Additionally, the plan proposes continuous water quality monitoring at the NH-37 crossing near Kukurmara.
The river remains perennial and has potential for irrigation, though local farmers largely depend on rainfall. The Water Resources Department, Pollution Control Board Assam, and various line departments have been tasked with implementation, with timelines ranging from three months to continuous monitoring.
The monitoring committee, led by the Chief Secretary of Assam, is expected to meet regularly to assess progress and coordinate between stakeholders.
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