By H H Mohrmen
The state of Meghalaya is to play host to the Indigenous Terra Madre 2015 also known locally as International Mei-Ramew Festival which will be held in Shillong, Meghalaya from the 3 to the 7 November 2015. The theme of the celebration was spelt out by Mr Phrang Roy in his paper at the UDP 18th birth anniversary on September 11 (which was published in the ST editorial page on the September 22) is “The Future We Want: Indigenous Perspective and Action.” How I wish that this was the theme of Meghalaya four decades ago after we attained a separate state. Meghalaya would have indeed been a shining outpost if our leaders during the separate state movement had known what future they wanted for the state.
How I wish that this same theme has some influence on the decision making of the present state government too. Do we ever ask ourselves what is the future we want for the state of Meghalaya? And do we even try to look at the answers to this question from an indigenous perspective? I was asked to share my thoughts on the issue of the environment at this same gathering, and reminded everyone present that protecting the environment is not only a duty but a spiritual call for any Khasi-Pnar. To the Khasi-Pnar nature is his mother and it is the mother of all his fellow-creation too. Khasi-Pnar people also know that humans are not pre-ordained to lord over the creation but they are equal partners, keepers and co-dwellers with their fellow creations of this common home they called earth. In the Khasi-Pnar system of belief Nature is a living entity and they personify it in many ways and forms.
But this government under the leadership of Dr. Mukul Sangma seems to miss this very important point and is hell bent on continuing with its policy to encourage extractive mining in the state despite knowing very well that it destroys the environment. Dr Sangma’s statement in the hallowed hall of the Meghalaya Assembly only confirmed that the MUA government’s one policy is to vacate the ban on coal mining in Meghalaya without any concern whatsoever for the environment. The Government is not interested on the issue of reclaiming the dead rivers or preventing other rivers from getting polluted. Neither is this Government interested in protecting the forests and land from total destruction but to lift the ban on mining in the state. On this issue, the Government is talking more like a mining lobby than a Government which is responsible for plan a sustainable future for the state. What kind of future does the MUA government under Dr Mukul Sangma want for Meghalaya? Can we as citizens ask this question loud and clear?
The State Government’s two-pronged approach to vacate the mining ban is a very dangerous proposition. The public was not taken into confidence by the Government in redrafting of the Policy and neither did it seek the opinion of the public before approaching the central government for invoking para 12A (b). Stake holders were not involved in redrafting the mining plan with inputs from the Central Mining Planning and Design Institute, Coal India Limited and Directorate General of Mines and the Government is also yet to put the draft mining plan in the public domain. The entire process has become a one-sided and an all-government affair.
But the most dangerous of the two moves that the Government has is making is to invoke paragraph 12A (b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution so that application of central laws in the state relating to mining may be rescinded through presidential notification. What does this mean to a layman like you and me? In simple words it means that even if the State Government’s present regulation is flawed, the public have no other institution to approach for redress of their grievances. If there is rampant destruction of forests and if all the rivers are polluted, public will have to keep mum and curse their fate because Central Government’s rules and regulation with regard to protecting of the forest and environment and mining regulation will not work anymore. All the powers with regards to mining will rest with the State Government and with the kind of Government we have, we already know what future is in store for Meghalaya. This is a police state in the making. Is this the kind of future Dr Mukul Sangma dreams for the state?
Perhaps we need to remind ourselves that it was the National Green Tribunal which has come to the rescue of the rivers of Meghalaya. Not that the State Government did not know that the rivers in the coal mining areas are polluted, but it chooses to ignore the fact till somebody from the neigbouring state lodged a complained with the NGT. Invoking para 12A (b) means even the right to approach the NGT will be denied to the citizens of Meghalaya.
The other pertinent question is whether the Government is serious and is sure that the Policy and regulations that it brings to the table are adequate and is going to address all the issues and concerns with regard to protection and conservation of the environment; what is the need of invoking para 12A (b)? Invoking para 12A (b) is like Brutus’ last stab that killed Caesar. Dr Sangma has stabbed Mei-Ramew to death even before the festival begins. Does Dr Sangma want to be remembered as Meghalaya’s Brutus who strikes the last blow that killed the environment in the state?
Is this looking at the future we want from an indigenous perspective? We all know that the State Government is investing money to host the ITM 2015. Is this not going to be a futile exercise? Will it not just become an event for Dr Mukul Sangma to showcase his oratorical skill to an international audience? What is the use of holding the international festival in Shillong when the same does not have any influence on the Government’s policy?
Perhaps, by November Dr Sangma will come up with road map of the future he wants for Meghalaya from an indigenous perspective, but where is the action? Action should start from today and the Government’s action is not going to help protect the environment which is a prized treasure to all the first nation people of the world.
Now that we all know Dr. Sangma’s two pronged approach to lift mining ban, I for one am eagerly waiting to hear what he will say at the ITM. What is the Future he envisions for Meghalaya from an indigenous perspective? And what will his Government do to achieve that goal? It is not every day that he will get an audience from as many as 52 countries listening to him. Added to that there is a possibility of international media houses waiting for his sound bites. Perhaps Dr Sangma will talk about promoting tourism and what not, but what tourism are we talking about when the license to slaughter the nature had already been issued? Dr Sangma may try to be politically correct and talk about his pet program the IDBLP and the MLAMP but again if nature dies, all these programs will also go down the drain? In trying to please the mining lobby, Dr Sangma is like a knight wielding a double edged sword which will hurt more than help him. Dr Sangma may have been able to please the mining lobby, but he has disappointed the larger section of common people who care for the environment and the young generation and his own children who will inherit the world from us. Dr Mukul Sangma knows the kind of legacy he has left behind and history will not treat him kindly either.
The Government’s current policy on mining is unsustainable and it will only expose the Chief Minister like a lame duck to criticism from every corner. Dr Sangma’s critics who have all along maintained that hosting ITM 2015 is a waste of public money are already training their guns at him. Dr Sangma has a gigantic task before him to prove that hosting the ITM is good and a worthwhile venture for the state when his action has already proved that he is not concerned for the environment which every indigenous group hold dear to their heart.