Civil society moves NGT over pollution in Lawsohtun area

SHILLONG: The Greater Laban Community Development Society has approached the National Green Tribunal over encroachment on and pollution in the Critical Catchment Area in Lawsohtun.
In its application to the eastern zone bench of the tribunal in Kolkata, the society said there is rampant felling of trees and illegal construction of boundary walls for encroachment of the catchment area in Lawsohtun forest despite the prohibitory order of the Gauhati High Court, Shillong Bench.
According to the society, deforestation and construction work are adversely affecting the ecosystem and the community as a whole.
There are several water sources originating from Shillong Peak and these are sources of drinking water for the inhabitants of the city and its adjoining areas, the society pointed out.
It added that the the Gauhati High Court, while hearing a PIL I 2005, had directed the advisory body constituted under the Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Area Act, 1990, to notify and declare the Lawsohtun forest and adjoining places as catchment areas within two months but nothing has been done so far.