Villagers opposed to entry point at 18th Mile

SHILLONG: Residents of 18th, 19th and 20th Mile in Ri Bhoi have objected to the proposal of setting up entry points (facilitation centres) at Umdoh in 18th Mile as they had collectively approved 19th Mile as the suitable place.
The residents sent a petition to the director, Meghalaya Institute of Governance asserting their opposition to the setting up of entry points at Umdoh in the interest of conserving the catchment area and to protect water resources.
They stated that people had already given their unanimous collective consent in the social assessment (public hearing) conducted by the department at 19th Mile. The residents said they failed to understand the need for another entry point.
The residents argued that acquiring the land at 18th Mile for the setting up of an entry point will be in direct contravention and against the spirit of the Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Areas Act, 1990 which promotes protection of precious water sources. The land owners of the proposed site were also against the setting up of a facilitation center and expressed their opposition during the public hearing which was held on Tuesday at Umdoh Village.