TURA: In the wake of ongoing campaign by youth groups to save Durama Peak on social media as well as several localities raising concern over depleting forest cover, a meeting was called by West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh to discuss matters relating to encroachment of Tura Peak area on Thursday evening at the DRDA Conference Hall in Tura. The meeting was held in view of the mass deforestation and trees being replaced with commercial plantation crops, mainly arecanut and encroachment of the reserve forest area in and around the Tura Peak.
Pointing out the increase of arecanut plantation in Darengre and all along the hill slope of Tura Peak, he said that the situation was alarming which if allowed to continue, would lead to all water sources drying up after 10 years or so.
The DC advised Nokmas and headmen of respective localities to organise awareness programmes and sensitize the people about protection and preservation of the environment and water bodies in the region for future generations. He also urged the concerned authorities to spread awareness about the ill-effects of using plastics and the amount of pollution it generates and degrades the environment drastically.
Meanwhile, informing that Nokmas had every right to control land degradation and afforestation in their respective areas, the DC directed them to take stern action if illegal encroachment takes place in their respective jurisdiction.
Block Development Officers of the respective areas were also directed to oversee and instruct the local people to let it be known to picnickers not to leave any waste at the picnic spot since measures for garbage disposal is unavailable. He also suggested giving responsibility to Self Help Groups of respective areas to maintain the picnic spots.
Informing that directives would soon be issued for banning of plastic water bottles in different functions including weddings, etc and the use of materials made from plastic like cups and plates from August 15, 2018, the DC instructed shop owners to finish off their present stock before the ban comes into force. He added that this would pave way for the promotion of small scale industries in the region for producing different materials like plates, cups, from arecanut leaves, etc and carry bags, amongst others.
Nokmas of Nikrang A’ding and A’konggre sought the cooperation and support from the district administration and concerned department with regard to sensitising the people on the critical issue of environment and its farsighted effects since they felt that people were sometimes difficult to convince.
While discussing the situation of Internal State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Chasingre, the Deputy Commissioner insisted on the District Urban Planner, Tura H N Sangma to organise meeting with the local people including police department in order to prevent and check people from indulging in various kinds of illegal activities.
To easily deal with such activities in the future Superintendent of Police, Dr M G R Kumar who was also present urged people to report such activities in and around the town areas on police control room numbers- 8837423053, 8730965429 and 9089199064 and whatsapp number 8837423053.