Tura, Feb 11: The office of the Divisional Forest Officer West and South-WestGaro Hills T Division, Tura following investigations and reports from multiple sources regarding illegal activities, a District Level Task Force (DLTF) conducted a seizure and demolition operation. The operation focused on the Gomaijhora area, Phulbari and Batabara specifically targeting illegal brick earth mining and the unauthorized establishment of brick kilns.
The enforcement action was prompted because the kiln was found to be in direct violation of the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules (MMMCR), 2016, the unit was operating without a valid Consent to Establish (CTE) or Consent to Operate (CTO) from the State Pollution Control Board, and the operators continued their illegal activities despite previously being issued Show Cause Notices by the authorities.
In a recent meeting, the DLTF comprising the District Administration, and Police, Forest Department, Water Resources, State Pollution Control Board and two independent members authorized the demolition of illegal brick kilns and seizure of all illegally mined brick earth.
The task force utilized two JCBs and a dumper truck to transport the seized materials to the Range Office for safe custody.
Shri Rupanker K. Marak, DFO-Cum-Member Secretary, DLTF, West and South-West Garo Hills T Division, Tura has confirmed that regular checking for illegal brick earth mining, demolition of illegally established brick kilns and monitoring of the site will continue to prevent future violations. Citizens are encouraged to report all illegal brick earth mining, and illegal brick kilns to the department.
