Tura, April 8: The office of the Range Forest Officer, Tura Territorial Range on Friday, organized a one day awareness programme for nokmas of A’kinglands in West and South West Garo Hills at green Haven, Walbakgre with a view to sensitize them on various issues and Forest Acts. The programme was organized for the nokmas of the two districts in view of crushers and quarries being present in both districts.
Speaking during the programme, Range Forest Officer, Tura Territorial Range Quartus Chongkim B Sangma said that sensitization of the Nokmas of the region was necessary with regard to the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 and in view of the various notifications issued by the Government recently about the Amendment of Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016 and briefed the participants about the guidelines and its provisions.
Mentioning the amendment in rule 4, he said “No mining lease and quarry permit shall be granted in respect of any of the lands mentioned such as within a distance of two hundred (200) metres from the edge of the National Highways and any roads to be notified by the Government, within a distance of one hundred (100) metres from any Village, Water source, Bridges, Dams, Reservoirs and from the edge of the State Highways and any other roads when blasting is not involved and within a distance of two hundred (200) metres from any Village, Water Source, Bridges, Dams, Reservoirs and from the edge of the State Highways and other roads when blasting is involved”.
Sangma urged all the Nokmas to follow these rules while operating quarries in their A’king land and also reminded them to use their land judiciously while operating quarries or crushers in their A’king Land which is possible only by obtaining proper license.
Meanwhile, Circle Inspector, Tura Police Station Bitching Marak also informed the Nokmas with regard to the law and order matters which need to be followed while operating their quarries and crushers in their respective areas. Stating that there have been instances in the past where some Nokmas have given lease for meagre amount of money, he advised them to carry out the business legally and scientifically so that they can earn better profit as well as protect the environment and thereby save the eco-system for the future generations.