Whither Conservation in Meghalaya?
Editor,
The editorial “Tackling mob violence” (ST September 21, 2023) raises many other issues. The British were intelligent enough to create and conserve biodiversity. A key biodiversity area of 259.29 sq. km of Reserved Forest in Narpuh Block I and Block II is the primary forest remaining in Meghalaya and was established in June 1909 and March 1918 respectively. Both the blocks of Narpuh are part of the Reserved Forest in Jaintia Hills and the Working Plan for this forest was approved for a period of ten years from 2013-14 to 2022-23 by The Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change, North East Regional Office, Government of India, Shillong. During the mid-term revision of the approved working plan initiated in July 2018, the area of Narpuh Block II got reduced by 59.90 sq.km as Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary was notified on 10th June 2014.
The editorial has raised a very pertinent question, “Is it ecologically feasible to have seven to eight cement companies in one district of the State? How did the cement companies manage to get their clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and who actually conducted the environmental impact assessment which qualified these companies to set up shop so close to a wildlife sanctuary?”. When money talks there will be no resistance and in fact gullible and poverty ridden people have nothing to lose but are contented with crumbs not knowing what is degradation of environment and its consequences. The main threat to Narpuh prior to 2004 was encroachment (settlement and agriculture), hunting, poaching, jhum cultivation, illegal felling of trees, speeding vehicles, pollution from motor vehicles on National Highway 6 formerly NH 44 that connects Assam, Mizoram and Tripura with the rest of India. A number of animals are crushed to death by speeding vehicles. Earlier, some forest areas of Narpuh and nearby areas were destroyed mainly due to betelnut plantation, for jhum cultivation, orchards (mainly oranges), and firewood collection.
The Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary (59.90 Sq Km), East Jaintia Hills District was notified on June 10, 2014 is the only large tract of pristine forest left in Jaintia Hills as well as the eastern part of Meghalaya. This area has some of the tallest evergreen and semi-evergreen forests left in Meghalaya. The Sanctuary is also home to many Schedules I species such as Hoolock gibbon, Serow, Slow loris, Pied Hornbill, Leopard etc. The favourable climate with rich vegetation offers a good habitation of the area to support a wide variety of wild, endangered flora and fauna, the Sanctuary is endowed with a rich diversity and abundance of wildlife.
Until recently only few studies have been conducted to explore the fauna diversity in the Sanctuary. In the year 1996-98, a study was conducted by the Zoological Survey of India, the first at such survey for the district, as per the report there are 25 species of birds, 61 species of mammals, 16 species of Reptiles, 74 species of fishes and 15 species of Amphibians. In 1999, Dr. Anwarruddin Choudhury submitted the interim report of wildlife survey in Jaintia Hills, according to which there are more than 120 species of mammals. In 2016-2017, the Department with Dr Rajkamal Goswami from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & Environment (ATREE) had carried out fauna survey in the sanctuary using camera trap, as per the study 92 species of birds, 35 species of mammals and 199 species of butterflies were recorded. About 92 species or birds have been recorded so far. Among the noteworthy species recorded so far includes, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Giant or Great Pied Hornbill, Spangled Drongo, Rufous-throated Partridge etc.
The sanctuary has a number of small nullas, streams etc. which harbour a rich variety of butterflies. Dr.Rajkamal Goswami during his studies in the sanctuary has recorded around 91 species of butterflies. Some of the butterflies are very rare which can be located only in the sanctuary. It can be stated that the sanctuary is exceptionally rich in butterfly diversity.
The Asian Leaf Tule (cyclemis dentate), a reptile known as testudines were recorded in Prang and Lukha rivers. The copper headed Trinket Snake, Red-necked Keelback, monitor lizard and species of frog (Kaloula spp.) have been recorded from the region. The Common Varanus bengalensis, water monitors, Rock Python, King Cobra, Common Cobra, Banded krait, Common krait, Common vine snake, green pit viper and reticulated python have also been recorded.
According to the study conducted by R. Eugene Lamare and O.P. Singh of Department of Environmental Studies, North-Eastern Hill University and Department of Environment and Traditional Ecosystems, Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong in 2013 titled, “Comparison of various soil physico-chemical parameters,” revealed that cement dust emanating from cement plants has changed the soil quality in the surrounding areas of cement plants. The normal soil pH in the area is generally acidic. However, due to the continuous deposition of cement dust soil pH was found slightly alkaline near the cement plants. The higher values of soil parameters such as electrical conductivity and bulk density were also noticed near the cement plants. The lower values of water holding capacity, soil moisture content, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content were found compared to the control sites.
The effect of cement dust deposition on soil is more in areas nearer to the cement plants. At present the changes may not be so serious but if this trend continues, soil properties of a vast area around the cement plants are likely to change leading to multiple effects on flora, fauna and socio-economy of the area”. The area has the maximum limestone deposits in the state of Meghalaya followed by Khasi Hills and Garo Hills. Extensive exploitation of limestone in the area started in 2004 after establishment of several cement manufacturing plants. At present, there are eleven cement plants already established. Currently, these are predominantly the major consumers of limestone resources in Meghalaya. All these cement plants were found to be located within an area of less than 10 sq.km which is equivalent to 17% of the area of Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is strange that the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, the custodian and keeper of land and its resources under Sixth Schedule converted the area into private property. Equally strange is how Star Cement owns more than 200 hectares (2 Sq.km) and how 10 sq.km of land where these cement factories are located can be owned by non-indigenous people defying the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act. It is ironic that value addition of Meghalaya limestone is now taking place elsewhere in Sonapur in Assam and Mohitnagar in Jalpaiguri District (near Siliguri) in West Bengal.
As regards tackling mob violence, the less said the better. But it is important to point out as a civilised citizen that when a mob is on a rampage, the police are responsible for maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety. The primary objective is to protect lives and property, prevent violence and restore peace in affected areas rather than to be in a bind because of the tussles provoked by internal rivalries. It is the job of the police to deploy additional forces, use non-lethal force, arrest and detention, imposition of curfew and coordination with other agencies of the Central Armed Police Forces as and when the situation arises. The editorial has rightly pointed out that “they cannot appease any politician or political parties or the government of the day. The mob cannot be allowed to run amok.”
Yours etc.,
By VK Lyngdoh
Shillong