By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The KHADC has decided to take suo moto action following media reports (ST) on the threat to the forest cover of ‘Law Syiem’, the only catchment area for the villages of Mawtawar, Umshing, Mawpat, Mawlai Mawroh, Golflink, Lumshyiap, Langkyrding, Nongmynsong and Pynthor for the past many decades.
The thick forest cover is under the jurisdiction of the Syiem of Mylliem and has been the source for many of the natural springs in these areas and for three major water supply schemes in Lumshyiap, Pynthorumkhrah, Mawlai Mawroh and Langkyrding.
“We have decided to take suo moto action on the basis of media reports about the threat to the forest cover at ‘Law Syiem’ due to various human activities,” KHADC CEM Pynshngain N Syiem said here on Sunday.
Syiem said that the Council is concerned about the threat to ‘Law Syiem’ due to rampant feeling of trees by people residing in localities close to the forest areas.
“We have decided to write to the Syiem of Mylliem, Latho Manik Syiem, to make provision for providing security to this traditional forest which is the sole catchment area for many localities,” the KHADC CEM said. Stating that if the Syiem of Mylliem does not have the manpower in place for providing such security, the KHADC chief said the Council is ready to depute personnel from its Forest department to protect the precious forest cover of ‘Law Syiem’.
He also informed that the Council is contemplating an amendment to the existing United Khasi Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Management and Control of Forests) Act, 1958 to include a provision whereby the Council would have a say in the protection of catchment areas.
“At present, there is no provision in the existing Act on the protection of the catchment areas,” the KHADC CEM said.
He said that the Council felt the urgency to constitute laws for protection of the catchment areas considering their depleting condition.
“The forest cover across the State has drastically been reduced over the past many years due to various human activities which, in turn, are creating a huge impact on the environment. We have to take steps to protect the forest areas before it is too late,” Syiem said.
Earlier, it was reported in The Shillong Times, that the thick forest cover at ‘Law Syiem’ has been gradually being reduced due to human activities, which have affected the natural springs in the area.
