Shillong, July 16 /–/ The staff of the KHADC Forest department on Tuesday closed down an illegal stone quarry operating above the Wahniangleng reservoir, which supplies water to the Mawphlang dam and subsequently to homes falling under Greater Shillong.
The illegal stone quarry belongs to one Blik Nongkynrih.
Executive Member (EM) in-charge of Forest department, Macdalyne Mawlong informed that they had stopped all mining activities at the said illegal stone quarry.
She said that the staff of the department had also recorded the statements of the residents of the area.
According to her, the council will have to take stern action if they resume mining activities.
“We will issue necessary notices to the concerned owner of the illegal stone quarry to warn him that he should not start mining again since it is putting a threat to Wahniangleng reservoir,” Mawlong added.
It may be noted that in February, The Shillong Times reported on the illegal stone quarry above the Wahniangleng reservoir. Following the report, the Dorbar Shnong of Laitkynsew disclosed that the quarry was initiated by the former Sordar of Elaka Laitkroh without approval from the KHADC or any other government agency. Both the state government and the KHADC acted promptly, resulting in the quarry’s closure, which was previously supplying boulders to Bangladesh.
Recently, residents of the Wahniangleng area informed The Shillong Times that the quarry had resumed operations, with the sound of dynamite explosions reverberating across the area. Villagers fear that the quarry, located in the catchment area feeding Wahniangleng, could lead to the drying up of the river and severe water scarcity downstream.
