By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: While expressing concern on the effect of global warming and climate change on the environment, KHADC CEM Pyngshngain N Syiem has emphasised on the need to convert certain stretch of forest areas owned by the various traditional bodies into reserve forests.
“The forest cover across the State has drastically reduced over the past years due to various human activities which in turn have an adverse impact on the environment. We have to take serious steps to protect the forest areas before it is too late,” Syiem said while speaking at a function to unveil the foundation stone of a KHADC-sponsored project for preservation of the Wahumkhrah River on Saturday.
He observed that the best possible way to address the problem of environment degradation is to convert certain stretch of forest areas under the various Hima, Raid and even those belonging to various clans into ‘reserve forests’.
“There is an urgency to convert the various forest areas into ‘reserve forests’ at the earliest considering the rampant felling of trees taking place in these forests which has posed a serious threat on the catchment areas which are the source of drinking water,” Syiem said.
The KHADC CEM’s statement seems pertinent considering that Syiem of Mylliem, Latho Manik Syiem, in 2011 had decided to allot plots of land at ‘Law Syiem’ (Forest under the Hima) to all the Myntris (Officials) under the Hima of Mylliem.
Actually, the ‘Law Syiem’ has been preserved as a catchment area for the past many decades since it is the source of all the natural springs in the adjacent villages like Mawtawar, Umshing, Mawpat, Mawlai Mawroh, Golflink, Lumshyiap, Langkyrding, Nongmynsong and Pynthorumkhrah.
However, due to the timely intervention of the KHADC and pressure from various corners, the Syiem of Mylliem was forced to scrap his decision.