Editor,
Some people have visionary ideas for the welfare of the society. But very few have both ideas and “enthusiasm.” Enthusiasm alone helps one to open the doors and set out on a mission with determination. Look at what the members of ‘Operation Clean-Up’ have done in the span of three years in Shillong. It is not just commendable but it is highly “inspirational”. First conceived by The Shillong Times, now this mission has attracted many other organizations, including school students. They primarily aim at nursing the “injuries” caused to Mother nature in various ways. They have also taken up the hard challenge to clean stenchy riversides for that matter.
Of course, the regular cleaning drives by OCU involves not just cleaning the environment around. The efforts of these enthusiastic members have contributed immensely in enhancing their personal perspective to look at nature and appreciate its beauty. That will go a long way in self-evolution as well. One strongly feels that like Kiddies Corner Secondary School other front-ranking schools such as St. Edmunds, St. Anthony’s, All Saints, Loreto Convent, St. Johns, Nongthymmai Nepali Schools and so on also should follow suit. Undoubtedly, at this critical juncture of climate change such awareness alone ensures the sunshine tomorrow!
Here I can’t help but share the most sickeningly contrary activities that have been contributing to festering the wounds of the ecology. The countless drains and streams that pass along this town not only carry the water but they have been forced to carry all kinds of garbage. Who is to blame? Have those mountains of garbage that include broken parts of furniture, bottles, clothes, sacks etc., not choked the environment? I think that such shameless people who dump garbage into the rivers must see and realize how the members of ‘Operation Clean-Up’ sweat to clear what they have dumped with insane disregard.
The question today is how long will society tolerate this blatant offence of dumping garbage in the drains and streams. I think the administration must crack the whip. The vigilant members of OCU must take a firm stand and shout out against the disgusting proclivities! It would be worthwhile if the members would take the help of the authorities concerned to deal with such nasty offenders in the town. This will be a great step forward. I am sure our environment-conscious Deputy Commissioner, Ms Isawanda Laloo and the present DGP – Sri LR Bishnoi will support the idea wholeheartedly. The enforcement agencies must pull up all those errant folks who treat the drain as “dustbins”. The administration must immediately “impose a hefty fine” as penalty on the environmental polluters. In my eyes, it is one of the greatest sins of the modern times.
I find it very relevant to rerun the extracts from my previous letter — “Yes, we have taken enough selfies, now let’s also secretly take the photos of the offenders/dumpers that hurt our environment by throwing garbage in the drains. Those photo/video clippings should be shared with the Deputy Commissioner, Shillong Municipality, Police Departments and Pollution Control Board in confidence. Those photo clippings should be put up on the notice board and on the official websites. I hope this will certainly act as a “big deterrent”, making them hide their faces in shame. We can live tomorrow only when we do not let others mess with the environment today.” — (ST, Dated 14th Sept 2021 “Penalty for dumping garbage in drains”).
There should be zero tolerance for environment polluters. The efforts of the OCU should not go down the drain.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Ri-Bhoi plundered in broad daylight
Editor,
Thanks to the Ri Bhoi Social Media, the conduct of the Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd (IGGL)) was exposed. According to the Rangbah Shnong of one of either the two villages viz Umdon Nongthli and Khongwing Rongkhli, he received a personal letter from one Mr Kyndiah (govt official) regarding the proposed laying of gas pipeline through the above- mentioned villages sometime in early 2021. He kept this information to himself. It was only recently when IGGL started doing the survey and digging work that the affected villagers began to contact the Rangbah Shnong who never in his wildest imagination expected that the letter he received was a matter of life and death. He was deeply worried as part of his land was an orchard and the other was where he cultivated broomstick and these would be lost forever.
The IGGL started in 2018 is a joint venture of OIL, IOCL, ONGC, GAIL and NRL. It is a project for implementing the Hydro-Carbon Vision 2030 for North East India as per the Ministry of Petroleum, 2016. The idea is to allow access to clean fuel and accelerate the growth of North East India by leveraging the region’s hydro-carbon potential.
One can only assume that there were no public discussions and awareness creation about this project. It came like a bolt from the blue. The RBYDSO (Ri Bhoi Youth Departmental and Social Organisation) took note of the matter and approached the DC Nongpoh, R P Uttopadhyay on June 28 last. Unfortunately, the DC quickly excused himself on grounds of previous engagement and asked the ADC R Kharbihkhiew to resolve the matter. Alas! The ADC could not do anything about it.
Strangely enough there was no land acquisition and compensation which should have been followed as per law. How come the villagers, unmindful as all villagers are, were asked to produce their EPIC, Aadhar and PAN card when they were yet to have a public hearing to decide whether to grant the land or not. And very shockingly the land rate which is to be determined by the Revenue Department cannot happen now as the Company has already started developing the land. How could the MDA Government allow such a massive exploration as this without compensating the land owners?
The pipeline it is learnt is to also pass through Jaintia Hills. Right now with public representatives not caring a damn, it remains to be seen if the fate of ordinary Jaintias too will be the same as that of the Ri Bhoi people.
When poor, innocent villagers are duped by government officials then nothing can be done to save them. Meanwhile one can only wish the RBYDSO and the people of Ri Bhoi all the best. After all, they are unfortunate to be living in a State where public representatives do not care for their people except just a few weeks before election.
Yours etc.,
W. Passah,
Via email