GUWAHATI: Cutting of hills and filling up of wetlands and low lying areas in Kamrup Metropolitan district including Guwahati city have been prohibited by the Deputy Commissioner, Biswajit Pegu with immediate effect.
The Deputy Commissioner through a notification ordered all the concerned departments including the enforcement agencies like Revenue Circle Officer, District Police, Forest Department, PWD, Transport Department, Soil Conservation Department, planning and regulatory bodies – the GMC, GMDA – panchayat functionaries etc., not to permit any earth cutting and earth filing activities in hilly terrain, water bodies and low-lying areas of the district in view of the grave situation arising out of the recent incidents of landslides in and around Guwahati city.
The Deputy Commissioner also directed that no earth-cutting should be allowed till the monsoon season is over, even if, permission has been procured from regulatory authorities like GMDA, GMC for any construction activity.
It has also been directed not to allow carrying of earth procured after hill cutting. The Deputy Commissioner has further asked concerned departments and regulatory bodies to take steps to review the permission accorded, if any, during the current year and take steps to cancel those permission forthwith in the most vulnerable areas prone to landslides and flash floods considering the risk and vulnerability in the hilly terrain, water bodies and low-lying areas of the district.