SHILLONG: The villagers of Dangardop and Lalpani near Mawsynram live under constant fear of losing their homes and livelihood. Situated around 50 kilometres from Mawsynram block headquarter on India-Bangladesh border the villages are facing the threat of being washed away by Umngi river.
The erosion, effective for the last 10 years, has given many a sleepless night to the villagers during the monsoon season every year.
To take stock of the situation, Congress legislator from Mawsynram, Pynshngaiñ N Syiem along with officials of the Water Resources department on Tuesday visited Dangardop and Lalpani villages.
Syiem started the inspection from the PWD bungalow at Dangar moving on to other areas under threat of being washed away.
While taking to newsmen after the inspection, the Mawsynram MLA expressed concern over the erosion caused by the river.
“I fear that many of the villages will be washed away if no steps are taken to check the menace,” Syiem said.
He also assured to take up the matter with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and urge him to take immediate action on the issue.
“The Water Resources department would also prepare a DPR to bring a lasting solution to this problem,” the Mawsynram Congress MLA said.
Earlier, chairman of JAC for Dangardop and Lalpani Soil Erosion Protection Core Committee, Labius Arengh said the plight of the villagers has been reported to the concerned higher authorities and the local MLA, but no positive response has been received so far.
He stated that the neglected residents of Dangardop and Lalpani are in great dilemma, spending sleepless nights as the water of Umngi river is eroding their villages every monsoon.
The International Border Haat (market) is situated just near Lalpani, and these two villages may have great potential for eco-tourism development. Dangardop and Lalpani can also be used as import-export station by harnessing river Umngi for trading activities with neighbouring Bangladesh.
Residents of Dangardop and Lalpani have unanimously decided to seek all possible help from the concerned ministries and departments of both the State and Central governments.
They will send a memorandum to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and to the concerned Union Ministers on the matter.