JOWAI: Two prominent organisations working in the field of environment protection in the two districts of Jaintia hills have raised their voice against the public hearing to decide on issuing mining lease to Star Cement Company Limited scheduled for Saturday while several other groups have extended their support.
The hearing will be conducted for the 42.051 hectare limestone mines at Brichyrnot village in East Janita Hills district.
The two organisations, the Jaintia Fishing and Environment Protection Association and the Jaintia Tourism and Environment Society, have objected to the mining project on the grounds that it will have a severe impact on the environment.
The Jaintia Fishing and Environment Protection Association, which has been awarded by the ministry of water resources for its work in protection of rivers and the aquatic life along with the Jaintia Tourism and Environment Society, which has pioneered and popularised tourism development in the region, lodged their separate complaints against the proposed mining at the office of the member secretary of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control board in the city on Friday.
The association of anglers, which is also an umbrella organisation of fishermen with units in different part of the region, is against the granting of mining lease to the company as the proposed mining area is located very close to river Lukha.
The complaint also stated that Brichyrnot is one of the catchment areas of the river and, therefore, allowing mining in the area will have a drastic impact on the water body and aquatic life, a statement said.
The statement also mentioned that silting is already happening in the river as a result of limestone mining and this has not only affected the nearby villages, but might also affect the villages located downstream.
On the other hand, in its complaint, the Jaintia Tourism and Environment Society (JTES) said, “We have found that Jaintia Hills is blessed with natural gifts which can be utilised to attract tourists. With many tourist spots coming up, tourism is now a leading employer in the state”.
The JTES stated that Lumchnong is blessed with one of the world’s longest caves, which is also exotic and that limestone mining has damaged the famed Krem Kotsati Umlawan of Lumchnong.
“We are also well aware, unlike mining tourism not only provides employment to the youth of the area but it is also a sustainable activity,” a JTES release added.
The organisation is of the opinion that allowing the proposed mining to go ahead will not only affect the livelihood of the youths who are already engaging in the tourism business, but it will also affect the health of the people as mining will produce dust and will affect the river and the wildlife nearby.
The two organisations strongly opposed the company’s application for mining lease. Sources also informed that another organisation which raised objection to granting of mining lease at Brichyrnot is the Jowai Civic Awareness Society.
