SHILLONG: The State government will not put a ban on sand mining with Chief Minister Dr Makul Sangma saying it will dislocate people who are involved in such activities besides leading to large scale migration.
Addressing a state-level stakeholders’ conclave under Mission Green organized by the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme, the Chief Minister said that migration would lead to slums.
“We need to identify alternatives for a sustainable livelihood beyond the boundaries of the villages and the state.” Dr Sangma said and blamed migrants for the rise in crime against women in the state.
This year alone (from January to September), 250 cases of crimes against women were registered. Of these, 151 were related to rape, according to state government statistics.
“We are ashamed of listening to reports of so many crimes, especially against women and children. Why is it happening? It is happening because of lots and lots of migration of people,” Dr Sangma said.
While advocating on the need for integration and convergence of government departments for effectively implementing Green Mission in the state the Chief Minister urged stakeholders to regulate sand mining and other activities through a campaign that would not dislocate people.
Addressing the function earlier, the Additional Chief Secretary PBO Warjri underlined the need to protect environment by constructing environmental friendly houses and roads.
It may be mentioned that the Green Mission will cover all the 39 blocks across 11 districts of the state and aims at enhancing the sustainable green cover throughout the state in a massive scale by using the resources and manpower in various departments in the government, IBDLP, traditional institutions, community based organisations, voluntary organisations, SHGs and nature lovers.