Shillong, May 20: The National Green Tribunal , New Delhi today impleaded the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in a matter dealing with alleged environmental pollution of thc Kopli li river flowing in the State of Meghalaya.
The National Green Tribunal had passed an order. in an application filed by the All Dirnasa Students Union nima F-Yasao District. Cornrnittee alleging contamination of the Kopili river: on April 17. 2014 imposing a complete ban on any mining activity in the entire state of Meghalaya.
The KHADC had filed app1ication for getting itself impleaded in the matter and had stated that it is a constitutional body under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution which represents the concerns of the tribal people of Khasi Hills District.
The Khasi Hills District Autonomous’ Council , Mr. Vijay Hansaria, Senior Advocate contended that the Council is primarily involved in sharing the royalty on the coal produce mined which form the subject matter of the dispute and claimed that the District Council is a necessary party to the case.
He also submitted that the District Council would ensure that it shall abide by all law and would work in accordance with law. It was also submitted that in case there is any mining carried out in the Khasi Hills District. Over which the KHADC has jurisdiction, it would take all appropriate steps to ensure that such mining is in accordance with law.
The National Green Tribunal after hearing Mr. Hansaria passed an order impleading the District Council. The National Green ‘Tribunal has now posted the case on June 02, 2014 at Shillong. In another development, the Supreme Court in an appeal filed by some private persons against the same order dated April 17, 2014 directed that the challenge should be agitated before the Tribunal only and not before the Supreme Court.(SP News)
