WHEN the entire country is optimistic that the trade through Nathula would improve ties between India and China, Sikkim Pollution Control Board and the state Urban and Housing Development Department are preparing themselves up to counter the pollution that might be caused in the State with the increase in business activities once trade through Nathula Pass begins.

State Pollution Control Board (PCB) authorities said that they are preparing themselves to deal with the pollution that might be generated with the increase in business activities once the trade route through Nathula opens up.  The authorities recently said that they would clear up nine   jhoras in and around the town. They would also make the people aware about the ways to deal with this   type of pollution, as they are the ones who have to finally prevent the pollution.

An operation to clean nine jhoras in and around the town will be launched from November 30. The PCB and the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) will jointly undertake this operation and an amount of Rs 5.26 lakh has been sanctioned by the Central Pollution Control Board. Out of the sanctioned amount, Rs 3.68 lakhs has been given so far. The PCB will also assess the water quality of the jhoras.

Physicochemical, biological, bacteriological parameters of the jhoras will be analysed before and after the cleaning drive. The decision to start trade through Nathula was taken when Prime Minister Vajpayee visited China in last June. It is believed that by agreeing to begin trade through Nathula, Beijing has finally agreed that Sikkim is a part of India. In October, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also removed the map of Sikkim from their website, which till then showed Sikkim as an independent country.

| Sikkim | North East Enquirer (Headlines) | Nena Home Page |