Shillong, Dec 17: Consequent on the order of The Supreme Court and The National Green Tribunal banning the sand mining from the river beds, The Office of The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong and the Basin Development Unit of the District under the Mission Green of the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme (IBDLP) organized a public meeting cum awareness program at Smit village on 17-12-2013 to deliberate and create awareness to the public on regulation of mining activities, etc.
The meeting was presided over by Shri. W. Biam ADC, Shillong and a host of speakers deliberated on the subject who included the following persons i.e. Divisional Forest Officer (T), Khasi Hills Division, Shri. H. S. Nongkynrih, SE, PHE Electrical Circle, Smti. B. Majaw, Environmental Engineer, MSPCP, Shri. Aiban Swer, OSD, Meghalaya Institute of E-Governance, Dr. Balajied Sing Syiem, Syiem of Hima Khyrim.
Mr H.S Nongkynrih, SE, PHE pointed out the fact that there are many difficulties that came out as a result of unregulated and unscientific mining of sand which has affected the water sources mainly the Umiew River which is the main source of drinking water of Shillong. He emphasized that there should be a proper and scientific way of mining and this public meeting will create awareness among the people on how to do mining and at the same time conserve the environment. He requested the people to take full responsibility in saving the water bodies all around.
Mr B. Majaw (Environmental Engineer, MSPCB) brought to light that the Supreme Court and the NGT (National Green Tribunal) have laid many orders regarding mining. This is one part of leading those people who are engaging in mining activities to avoid unregulated mining. She point out that mining of land below 5 hectare should be done after getting the environmental clearance from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Agency and from the Ministry of Environmental Forest. The NGT has put restrictions on mining near the river bank all over India without proper license and proper permit.
Mr Manjunath (Divisional Forest Officer, Territorial Division) said that this gathering is meant to create public awareness and public dialogue in regulating sand mining. He emphasized that the NGT order was passed particularly for sand extraction. It restricts sand mining from river bank without environmental clearance from the Ministry of environmental Forest and deliberated that anyone wishing to go for sand mining needs to get proper permit and permission from the Office of the DFO (Territorial) of the district.
The Syiem of Hima Khyrim also deliberated upon the issued and mentioned the following as some of the issues from the community:Some village leader mentioned that they have no power to stop or restrict illegal mining in the village even though it affect the river as the land is privately owned. A frame work is needed to work it out. Also washing of vehicles and throwing of garbage near the riverside should also be looked upon.
To form a dialogue forum for consultation so that the process is continued and to go in the proper way and to work hand in hand with the government and to have more awareness campaign in different places as well.
Mr Sanjay Goyal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, stated that indiscriminate extraction of minerals or removal of sands from river beds etc. caused pollution which affects the environment. Therefore, he impressed upon The Sordar, The Myntris, The Syiem of Hima Khyrim and all stake holders the importance to regulate the mining activities so as the environment and water bodies could be preserve and protected for the benefit of all. He also requested, the Syiem of Hima Khyrim to take the initiative in forming the Eco-club or Group in Smit area for working of the modalities of protecting the environment in their localities/societies which can be supported under the Mission Green of the Government. He also emphasized that possibilities should be explored by the stakeholders to go for alternative source of livelihood which do not cause harm to the environment and the present situation needs to be changed and the mining activities need to be regulated by following due procedure and taking necessary permissions from the concerned authorities.(SP News)
