Meghalaya: NGT Concern on illegal mining activities at Khanapara
Considering the facts and circumstances NGT has issued notice to Meghalaya Govt. and constitute a high level committee to early out inspection and asks to adopt appropriate action to stop illegal mining.
Shillong
In an important order, National Green Tribunal constitutes a high power team of Meghalaya Govt. to examine the illegal mining activities at Khanapara, across Assam-Meghalaya border. NGT has issued this order on 26 August, 2019 after hearing a petition of Jitul Deka, Secretary, Asomiya Yuba Mancha.
NGT, New Delhi principal bench after hearing the petition says in it’s order – “We are satisfied that substantial question of environment arises in the case.
“Deka in his petition raises the issue of mass mining of stones at Khanapara of Ribhoi District that cause environmental hazards in many ways.
He states that such illegal mining activities are going on under deemed forest which would require forest clearance under Forest Conservation Act, 1984.
He has placed before NGT a Google imaginary of the concern areas to illustrate the adverse transformation in the area due to mining activities from 2003 to 2018.
Considering the facts and circumstances NGT has issued notice to Meghalaya Govt. Moreover NGT constitute a high level committee of Meghalaya Govt. including officials of department of Mining and Geology, Forest officials, pollution Board, Civil servant etc. to early out inspection in the alleged area and asks to adopt appropriate action to stop illegal mining.
Petitioner Deka in a statement says, “there are only a few stone queries that are permitted by Govt. But more than 200 such mining activities are going on. It has very adverse effects on adjacent Amchang Wild Life Sanctuary and Guwahati city.
It is the route cause of flooding in Guwahati city. We expect that Meghalaya Govt. will take action in this regard after NGT’s order.” He also points out several clauses of law that are violated in mining activities across Assam-Meghalaya border.
Jitul Deka, a social worker and youth leader, very recently moves Supreme Court against huge earth cutting, causing environmental hazards by Sristi Nagar at Guwahati. SC has directed Guwahati High Court to hear his petition.
Deka,s another PIL at Gauhati High Court, on 500 crore insurance scam leads to unearth a huge scam in insurance sector and many fludsters are arrested.
