From Our Correspondent
TURA, June 6: Combined organizations and civil societies from Rongjeng in East Garo Hills on Thursday opposed the alleged illegal drilling of a borewell by a resident from the area, claiming it was against the rules and guidelines of the Meghalaya government and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
In their complaint to the East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, the combined groups claimed that the borewell on land belonging to local resident one, Babusingh was drilled in the year 2020 without any permission or NOC from the concerned authority. According to the groups, no impact assessment was done by any department or authority concerned before the drilling and there was also no approval taken from owners of neighbouring lands.
“The drilling of the borewell for commercial use has resulted in nearby traditional tubewells, small streams and catchment areas running dry. Now residents of the area are facing acute shortage of water due to the greed of one man,” the combined groups stated.
Pointing out that the extraction of groundwater from the said borewell needs to be put to a stop in order to prevent further degradation of the environment, the combined groups have urged the deputy commissioner to look into the matter.