Cherrapunjee ecological project
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Miffed with the State Government’s decision of withdrawing funds meant for the ambitious Cherrapunjee ecological project, the residents of Sohra on Wednesday asked the State Government to reconsider its decision.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, residents Sohra under the banner of Ka Synjuk ki Khlieh Nongsynshar bad ki Sordar/ Rangbah Shnong, Sohra Civil Sub-Division consisting of 45 villages demanded that the amount sanctioned be returned and fully utilized for the purpose for which it was meant.
It may be mentioned that the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Soil & Water Conservation, Rowell Lyngdoh, on the floor of the house stated that the budget provision of Rs 27 crore for this year meant for the project was withdrawn as suggested by the Planning department.
However, the Chief Minister had assured that that the Government will try to avail funds through other means.
While terming the decision as “unjustified” and “unacceptable”, the Headman of Pdengshnong Sohra, Kensel Diengdoh said that the scheme should not be withdrawn. “Any scheme that has been sanctioned should not be withdrawn as it is our right to avail its benefits,” he told reporters.
According to Diengdoh, the scheme has gone a long way in benefiting people but the sudden withdrawal of funds will have an adverse affect on the people as well as the project.
It may be mentioned that the scheme termed as Cherrapunjee Ecological Project Restoration of Degraded Lands under Sohra Plateau is worth 87 crore under which the 1st and 2nd installment have been utilised amounting to 16 crore and 18 crore.
He also informed the Assembly that as many as 24 local indigenous species were planted in Sohra as part of the afforestation project.
