By Gareyson Y. Neufville
Residents of Kablaken Town in MaryLand County are reportedly frustrated due to the continuous pollution of the Cavalla River.
Some of the residents attributed the situation to ongoing mining activities along the River banks.
These activities, residents said, have severely disrupted the river natural ecosystem. Sediments, toxic chemicals, and mining waste are frequently discharged into the water, leading to heavy pollution and the destruction of aquatic life.
When this newspaper took a recent media tour, Kablaken Assistant Town Chief, told our correspondent that the once-safe, and dependable Cavalla River, has become contaminated, and unsafe for human consumption.
For that reason, the chief said, those who depend on the river are increasingly exposed to waterborne diseases, while the depletion of fish stocks threatens local food security and livelihoods.
“This river used to be our main source of drinking water, but now it is dangerous. People are getting sick, and we hardly catch fish anymore,” two of the local officials told our correspondent.
The situation, residents say, calls for immediate government intervention. Environmental advocates have also underscored the need for stronger enforcement of mining regulations, sustainable environmental management, and greater community awareness to protect country’s vital water resources.
Locals have meanwhile, called on government to stop “harmful mining practices” along the Cavalla River, and other waterways across the country.
The Cavalla River is one of country’s largest, and most important waterways, forming part of the natural boundary between Liberia and La Côte d’Ivoire.
For decades, it has served as a vital lifeline for communities in Maryland County, providing clean water for drinking, fishing, and small-scale farming.
Beyond its local significance, the river plays a crucial ecological and economic role for the country as a whole.
However, in recent years, communities living along the river have faced growing challenges as a result of both legal and illegal mining operations.