NONGSTOIN: The local tourists on Wednesday urged the West Khasi Hills district administration to halt illegal sand mining at Nongkhnum River Island.
The river island boasts of being the second largest in Asia and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the state with thousands of tourists from different parts of the world visiting every year.
The pristine river island is however in a state of ruins due to the rampant sand extraction from the beach for commercial purposes.
The sand mining racket is allegedly run by some contractors from Nongstoin.
Local visitors expressed concern over the rampant sand mining along the banks of Phanliang in Nongkhnum River Island.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, a local tourist said the illegal mining is causing severe damage to the river affecting its scenic beauty. “The beauty of Nongkhnum lies in its clean sandy beach; but if the beach itself is mined then Nongkhnum will no longer retain its beauty”, Alvin K Jahrin, a local tourist, lamented.
The villagers informed that it will take more than three years of sustained efforts to fill up the beach and restore it to its original state.
The concerned citizens and tourists have urged the authorities to initiate strict action against the contractors involved in illegal sand mining activities.
When asked about the illegal sand mining, the head of Diengshyieng village said the sand is used by the village authority for construction work and since it is the private property no law can interfere with them.
However, the villagers alleged that the sand from Nongkhnum was used for commercial purposes after being supplied to various contractors in Nongstoin. They said they were witness to a sand depot near Diengshyieng village.
The village head, however, was hesitant in revealing the identity of the sand contractors.
H. Nongsiej, head of the Nongsiej clan in the village, said “The clan is not responsible for sand mining and those involved in the illegal mining did not take my permission.” The Nongkhnum River Island is said to be owned by the Nongsiej clan.
The clan head added that he was not aware of the illegal sand mining in Nongkhnum and expressed disappointment over the matter.
Meanwhile, West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner in-charge K.L. Nongbri informed that sand mining had been stopped after the intervention of the district administration, adding “It was quite difficult to make them understand as they had claimed that the sand and the river belonged to them.”
Quoting the Meghalaya Water Act, 2012, he stated that at least 10 metres of the river bank on either side is considered as no man’s land and no individual or group has the right to claim it as their private property.
