NONGSTOIN: Miners in Rambrai and Mawlangsu, two major charcoal producing areas in West Khasi Hills, are flouting production and transportation guidelines as the Forest Department is irregular in checking highways and mines, the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) has alleged.
The last checking by the Forest Department Territorial Division was nine months ago.
“The Forest Department Territorial Division had said it would regularly check the national highway through which charcoal trucks pass but surprisingly 20-30 trucks loaded with charcoal are plying freely without any interference by police or the district administration or the Forest Department,” Hamar Lyngkhoi, General Secretary of the HANM West Khasi Hills, said.
There is also rampant violation of an apex court order and the Meghalaya Charcoal (Control of production, storage, trade and transit) Rule, 2008, which forbids burning and production of charcoal.
HANM has slammed the Government for not taking action against burning of charcoal and illegal transportation to various factories in Byrnihat. It has alleged that illegal charcoal suppliers are conniving with government officials to run these trucks safely at night.
Lyngkhoi said the Forest Department should launch a clean-up operation to stop unabated flouting of rules. He has urged locals not to engage in illegal charcoal production and transportation so that the future generation is not affected.
