Tourism forum against mining

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF) on Friday said that it will stand united with the members of Sonapyrdi Tourism and Environmental Development Society (STEDS) against limestone mining by Star Cements.
The statement comes in the wake of the upcoming public hearing organised by the State Pollution Board regarding the extension of limestone mining by Star Cements.
“Our fellow members have been involved in the development of tourism around Wah Lukha and the Narpluh wildlife sanctuary along with the rejuvenation of Wah Lukha which has been ravaged by wanton disposal of industrial waste that has deprived all forms of aquatic life within it,” said MRTF president Alan West.
“We reiterate that one of the main objectives of the forum is to preserve and protect the environment since nature is the most important asset in Meghalaya. We strongly feel that the wanton destruction of nature through unscientific mining shall be the decline of the nascent tourism industry in the state,” he said.