Petition in NGT for state green policy

SHILLONG: Sajay Laloo, a concerned citizen from Panaliar in Jowai, has moved the principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) urging it to issue direction to the state government to frame an environment policy for protection of forests, caves, wildlife and rivers.
Laloo said the matter was taken up on Thursday and during the course of hearing, the tribunal allowed the application.
The Tribunal bench also issued showcause notice to the Meghalaya government seeking reply on why a proper environment policy should not be framed and why 5km from the edge of all major rivers, reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries and caves should not be declared as regulated zones where mining or industrial activities would be prohibited. According to Laloo, the matter relating to the operation of various industries in the state without having effluent treatment plant was also brought to the notice of the green tribunal.
Laloo alleged that the government is yet to act against those industries which are illegally operating even after the ban imposed by the Supreme Court in February this year.
Claiming that Meghalaya is among the states which are yet to frame its environmental protection policy, Laloo added that in its reply to an RTI, the state government admitted that it was adopting the central government policy in this regard.