Editor,
Apropos the news item “AHRC voices concern on uranium mining,” (ST June 3, 2017) I I was surprised to find that the contents appearing therein have nothing new to offer to the public except to repeat the slogans of the anti- nuclear lobbies. Even the few anti- uranium mining bodies of Meghalaya have been echoing the same thing in the last 15-20 odd years. Whatever contents given by AHRC in the news item are nothing short of creating hype and fear psychosis among the masses on uranium mining.
What surprised me most is that the anti- uranium mining lobbies, who are not experts on uranium and are not nuclear physicists, go about proclaiming openly to the world that mining of uranium ore is extremely dangerous to humans and other living species. Whatever is mentioned by AHRC in the news item is not officially, scientifically and medically proven. They are mere claims by this body, hence, they cannot be relied upon. It is wrong and dangerous to mislead the people through dissemination of information via the media.
A team of about seven doctors who conducted health surveys in 2001-2002 in the uranium deposit areas did not find any sicknesses related to uranium effects. Some journalists also went with the team of doctors. So far, there is no official and commercial uranium mining in the uranium mines of Nongbah Jynrin and Mawthabah areas, except exploratory collection of sample ores, by Atomic Mining Directorate (AMD) at Nongmynsong.
I therefore appeal to the public readers and viewers of the media not to be misled by the anti-uranium propaganda by self-styled uranium experts but to lend credence only to official proven findings by the uranium experts and nuclear physicists and scientists.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
Wanted environment activists!
Editor,
It is heartening to note that many groups in different parts of the state celebrated World Environment Day this year as reported by your paper. There could be many other celebrations which the newspaper could not cover. Nevertheless what has been projected gave significant indications that there is more awareness among the people about the mounting environmental problems in the state. Perhaps people are now determined to protect and care for the environment at any cost if the goodness that comes out of its wellbeing is to flow for perpetuity. One hopes the enthusiasm of the people during the celebrations is beyond tokenism and that it will soon lead to the rise of environmental activism in the state .
Environmental problems in Meghalaya were not unknown in the past, but only in the recent past is there a perception of an impending environmental crisis. However, there is also the tendency here to consider that the government alone has continuity of purpose and that it is the one body which can take the long term view and assume the responsibility of protecting the environment. Hence public participation in the field for so long on this aspect has been limited.
Protection of the environment may however not be a serious concern of everyone in the government and even if it exists it is often diluted by other concerns. Therefore , it will be too optimistic to expect that favorable policies and regulations for environment conservation would be enthusiastically formulated here or would be religiously applied if brought forward. Existing laws are applied inconsistently and most prohibitions that come out of these laws are short lived with not enough favorable outcomes.
On the other hand , environmental issues in the state are yet to be prominently brought to the centre of attention in democratic politics and therefore environmentalism in all its varieties is still relegated to the margins of public life with the mass still considering environmental stewardship as a luxury and not crucial to human survival. Those who favor sustainable development are swamped by those who want “ more” development though mostly predatory and not universal always in its benefits.
The push towards environmental protection may also be considered a hindrance to economic growth and a deviation from the quick development agenda with little understanding that caring for the environment need not undermine the commitment to development and the removal of poverty and deprivation. While it is not impossible to evolve a long term rational strategy of development which will enhance sustainable resource access for those at the bottom, while checking the excessive demand of those at the top, it will however need a strong influence and commitment particularly from the political leadership to get such a strategy to emerge and be subsequently implemented .
But such political leadership may be hard to come by in the state where environmental issues do not influence electoral politics Therefore this calls for sustained and committed environmental activism to come from the people themselves , an environmentalism which seeks to protest against the short-sighted motives of some with adverse consequence on others and to prescribe less destructive technologies and lifestyles . Such environmentalism can be a social program which should steadily gain power, prestige and most importantly , public appeal.
,Let us hope that each celebration of World Environment Day year after year would bring environmentalism to the fore and produce more environmentalists in the state who, in the long run can nurture a society that does not only look back at the past but which will ensure that the needs of the future are not endangered by the demand to meet the needs of the present.
Yours etc.,
KL Tariang,
Via email