Meghalaya’s Umngot River turns Murky
UPSC Prelims
Current affairs
Latest Update
Gajendra Singh Godara
Nov 7, 2025
5
mins read
The Umngot River popularly known as Dawki river flows through the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. It is known for its extraordinarily clear, emerald-green water and scenic beauty.It is regarded as one of the cleanest rivers in Asia. The town of Dawki lies on its banks near the India Bangladesh border. It is also known as the Dawki River or Wah Umngot in the local Khasi language.
The dumping of dirt and construction waste from the ongoing JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) funded Shillong–Dawki highway project is causing the once-pure waters of the Umngot River to turn murky.
The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has taken official action in response to this pollution, which includes waste and soil that slides into the river and endangers the local economy and environment.
Location & Course
The Umngot river begins on the uphills in the Jaintia Hills.
It emerges from the Eastern Shillong Peak at about 1800 meters above sea level. From there it winds south in limestone rich hills.
The river then flows into the Piyain River in Bangladesh. Eventually joining the Surma in the Brahmaputra basin.
Umngot river forms a natural boundary between the Jaintia Hills and the Khasi Hills.
Dawki town at this border is connected to Bangladesh by a historic suspension bridge.
Unique Physical Characteristics
One striking feature of the river Umngot is its clarity. The water is so pure that the riverbed can be seen clearly even in deep stretches of the river.
Some parts of the Umngot river depth reaches around 8 to 15 meters, which allows boats to float stably above the bottom.
Limestone rocks along its course act as a natural filter. They keep the water transparent and rich in oxygen, preventing algae from growing.
As a result, many kinds of fish thrive here. Local fishermen catch species ranging from small carp and catfish to other native varieties.
Many waterbirds such as kingfishers and herons are often spotted around the river, attracted by its rich fish population.
Ecological & Boundary Significance
Locally, the river is important for both life and commerce. It separates the Jaintia Hills and Khasi Hills, two different cultural regions, and is also part of the border between India and Bangladesh.
Dawki Bridge is important for trade; every day, trucks and their cargo enter Bangladesh through the bridge.
Around the Umngot river fishing has remained a traditional occupation around Umngot river and is important for the growing tourism which is becoming important to the local economy.
Tourists can spend the night in guesthouses and camps on the river bank, which are close enough for boat owners to charge for rides.
Every year, a boat race is held on the river Umngot and attracts participants from the neighboring villages.
Tourist Attractions & Activities
Visitors to Umngot participate in various activities, the most popular being boating.
For boat rides and riverbank camping, Dawki and the nearby Shnongpdeng are popular destinations.
November to February is the best time to visit since the clarity of the water is at its highest after the monsoonal rains, making for great conditions for tourism.
Economic Importance
Visitors to the area for tourism are able to bring in income for the local community through homestays, camp sites, and boat rentals.
The Dawki Bridge on NH-40 is an important route for cross-border trade with Bangladesh.
For those families living along the river, fishing is still a primary means of making a living.
Cultural & Heritage Elements
The annual boat race in March-April attracts participants from various regions.
The Dawki Suspension Bridge is both a historic and an economically important structure and it still an important lifeline in the area.
Impacts of Degradation
When the river is dirty, the ecosystem and the local economy both suffer. The river’s aesthetic and tourist value decline.
Less visitors mean income loss for the local community which relies on food and tourism.
Too much sediment clogs and chokes fish gills. It also dulls and suffocates the sandy riverbed and habitats of riverbed plants and invertebrates.
Discoloration of the river also reduces the concentration of dissolved oxygen which can suffocate and kill fish and other freshwater species.
Regulatory & Remedial Measures
A proposed 210 MW hydel dam on the river was suggested by the Meghalaya government in 2021. Many villagers and experts argued against it on the grounds that it would risk the river's natural flow and impact tourism and the river's fishery.
In April 2021, they blocked public hearings related to the project. The project was subsequently scrapped by the Meghalaya government in September 2021. These incidents demonstrated the lengths that people were willing to go to in order to protect the river's natural environment. They also demonstrated the need for any proposed development to take potential negative environmental impacts into consideration.
In the future, the need to ensure the maintenance of the river's natural environment and the development of the necessary infrastructure to ensure the socio-economic activities demanded by the stakeholders will need to find the required balance. The river and the activities demanded by the stakeholders to the socio-economy must find a socio-economic balance.
All construction activities must maintain a buffer zone and avoid dumping in the river.
The river banks must include vegetation planting in order to control soil erosion. Eco-tourism and community activities along the riverbank must align with river conservation goals.
The story of the river Umngot highlights the need for sustainable development: infrastructure projects must be planned carefully so that natural heritage is preserved.
Q. Consider the following rivers: (2021)
Brahmani
Nagavali
Subarnarekha
Vamsadhara
Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
1 and 2
2 and 4
3 and 4
1 and 3
Answer: (b)
Frequently asked question (FAQs)
In summary, the Umngot River in Meghalaya is a natural marvel known for its crystal-clear waters and the unique illusion of boats floating on air. It supports tourism, fishing, and cross-border trade. Recent construction work has made its waters cloudy, threatening both the environment and local livelihoods.
Protecting the Umngot requires careful planning and strict pollution controls. This example is often cited by UPSC aspirants when discussing rivers, environment, and sustainable development. It highlights river hydrology, local livelihoods, and the trade-offs between infrastructure growth and environmental protection.
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