Editor,
The widening of the G.S. Road, the Shillong – Tura Road and the Shillong – Guwahati Road via Mairang and also the construction of the Shillong By-pass are commendable as the movement of traffic has improved significantly along these routes although the roads have not been fully completed. But for one who is sensitive to the environment, the construction of these roads has also brought massive destruction to the eco-system along the routes. The construction companies, it seem, have flouted all environmental norms. This is evident from the destruction of vast tracks of forested areas and the haphazard and unscientific dumping of debris into green areas. Only the experts would be able to assess how much damage to the eco-system has been caused due to the loss of hundreds of hectares of forest land and what measures should have been in place to compensate for such losses. But what one is deeply worried about is the manner in which the debris is dumped along the route. This would have a snowballing effect. All along these routes the paddy fields and agricultural lands are destroyed by the recklessly dumped debris. Another visible effect is the vanishing of rivulets and streams along these roads as these are saturated with mud and stones. People in the affected villages are now looking for new sources of drinking water and new washing places at much greater distances as their once dependent and thriving sources have suddenly disappeared. The leisure of catching small fishes and having a tasty meal is also now rudely snatched away.
I believe environmental clearances are required for these projects after due environmental impact assessment, environmental management plans and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) measures are framed and public hearings are conducted by the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF). The MoEF and the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board are supposed to oversee environmental issues and adopt necessary measures. But these have been completely ignored. From the environmental perspective therefore the construction of these roads is indeed a tragedy. Also, this is to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned that unless something is done, a tragedy is in the offing during this monsoon along NH 40 near the Ryndang Briew where land development is currently being carried out, without much concern for the safety of the commuters and the environment, since loose excavated material tumbles down from the hill side unto the highway and large quantities of soil have choked all the drains on that stretch and which eventually flows into the Umiam river.
Yours etc.,
H. Lyngdoh,
Via email
Swamped by adverts!
Editor,
I wanted to write about this thing sometime back but kept deferring the matter thinking that it is just a one-off affair .Or what we’d like to call Observer’s Syndrome. Being an avid reader of your esteemed daily, I write to lament the death of quality news in your newspaper, what with advertisements adorning the bulk of your ‘news’. Mom would say ‘ la i ngiah ia kane ka Shillong Times te…’ (fed up with this Shillong Times) and I couldn’t differ with her even one bit. Only you and God, knows what is happening to the paper. As a common newspaper reader, I don’t know what rules/dynamics you follow in publishing an issue. But all I humbly ask is for some decent quality news. That’s all. It’s disheartening to see that the front page is losing its sheen to candyfloss ads. Sometimes I wish you could come up with an ‘ads’ only 2-page segment.
On a lighter note, I was wondering if you could come up with some sort of an article on the origin of the names of some of the localities in Shillong like Police Bazaar, Mawlai, Dhankheti, Laitumkhrah, Riatsamthiah etc. It would be highly insightful and make for an interesting read.
Your’s etc.
P.Diengdoh,
Shillong-06
Shillong Golf Course
Editor,
I’m deeply grateful to Rudi Warjri, our ambassador to Columbia for his reply to my article and his enquiry on the legal status of the Golf Course which is as follows:
The entire land is owned by Shillong Club Ltd., a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956. The said land i.e the Golf Course was acquired by the Club from some Khasi clans during British- time, through perpetual leases dating back to the year 1923, and has been under the possession and use of the Club as its sole owners ever since.
Yours etc.,
A.H. Scott Lyngdoh,
Via email