By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Land and Forest Owners’ Association (MLFOA) has urged the State
Government to provide licenses to around 200 saw mills in the four districts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
While appealing for the licenses, MLFOA vice president EB Kharrngi said that the saw mills that are currently operating in the State cater to the markets outside the State.
“There are around 43 licensed saw mills that are catering to the needs of markets outside the State. There is a need to issue new licenses to saw mills that would cater to local demands,” Kharrngi said while addressing a press conference here on Friday.
Kharrngi also stated that the Association was in favour of granting licenses to the local saw mills which have been categorized as ‘illegal’ so that the needs of the local people here could be addressed.
“The Government has already constituted a committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary PBO Warjri in December last year to oversee the demand for granting licenses to these local saw mills,” Kharrngi added.
Meanwhile, MLFOA president KS Sing Phanbuh refuted allegations that the Association was responsible for large-scale deforestation in the State.
Phanbuh, instead, blamed the ferro-alloy industries for the large-scale deforestation.
“Each ferro-alloy unit at Byrnihat consumes at least 6,000 tons of charcoal per year,” Phanbuh claimed.