The MDA Government’s proclamation about turning the state into a 10 billion dollar economy by 2028 is an aspiration – nay a bold ambition for Meghalaya. But every vision or aspiration requires a clear roadmap so that the public can buy into that roadmap and be co-creators of the 10 billion dollar economy. After all, people should be prepared for that economic boost and they should know which are the areas for potential growth where they can participate. In the case of Meghalaya will it be agriculture, horticulture or just the extractive industries like mining which the Government is working hard to revive by adhering to the Supreme Court directive of scientific mining which is yet to be tried out and which is an unknown entity. No one is sure if the investment in scientific coal mining will yield the same returns as rat-hole mining which has turned hundreds of mine owners into millionaires. Also, if coal is to be scientifically mined, how about limestone mining and quarrying? Why should they be allowed the reckless model of mining without any environmental plough-back?
These are red flags that ought to be considered as critical for a state that is not environmentally sustainable. Considering Meghalaya’s location as a hilly terrain and its loss of forest cover the rain water run-off is phenomenal but other than a few water conservation projects not much is happening to address deforestation. Some NGOs have been employed to regreen Meghalaya and to reclaim its lost soil but these projects will take a long time before they produce results. Meanwhile, scientific studies by the Centre for Science and Environment have shown that Meghalaya is heading towards a drought situation. The reasons are not far to seek. If over 747 water sources are in a critical condition then it requires drastic measures to revive those sources and that will only happen through reforestation. But that will take its own time.
Most forested areas in Meghalaya are now under broomstick cultivation. This is seen especially in West Khasi Hills and parts of East Khasi Hills. Broomstick is easy to grow and requires no effort at all but its impact on the soil and its capacity to suck underground water is legendary. It is unfortunate that the farmers of this state are not told to put a stop to broomstick cultivation. So large is the production today that there is a glut in the market. Naturally the price of broomsticks has slumped. That’s the law of the market. Another important aspect that is needed to boost Meghalaya’s economy is to get investors from outside the state to set up state of the art processing units for pineapple, oranges and other local fruit. These industrial units however need a constant power supply, not the present mode of power supply where power cuts are perennial. If industries have to rely on generators, their production costs will go up. Also, can Meghalaya have water guzzling industries when the state is facing a precarious situation as far as water is concerned? These are emergent issues that need to be red-flagged.
