SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Executive Member (EM) in charge of Forest and Environment department, Macdalyn Sawkmie Mawlong, asserted that limited human lifespan is one of the health repercussions of uranium mining.
She told The Shillong Times, “The effects of radiation on the health of the people are visible for all to see. It was found that there are people who are physically deformed. The expecting mothers will be affected. Can they expect a normal delivery? What about the generations to come? We are limiting their lifespan if mining is allowed”.
Mawlong stated that the Council will not budge from its opposition to mine uranium in the state in view of the health and environment threats.
She said, “We will continue to oppose uranium mining as it affects the society. We are inviting trouble if uranium is mined”.
As for visiting the site at Nongbah Jynrin, where the allegations of uranium leaks were reported, the EM said that the matter will be taken up by the Forest Special Committee and the Department.
“It is a sensitive issue as it will affect people so we should not remain mute spectators”, the KHADC EM said.
Mawlong further added that the opposition against uranium mining should be a united fight in which the people of the state and the NGOs should join in unison as she says, “Anything is possible if there is unity”.
Other than the health risk of uranium mining on humans, Mawlong also expressed concern about the contamination of water bodies and fishes as toxic wastes from mining activities pollute them.
She pointed out that threats to the environment are inevitable.
It may be mentioned that there were allegations of leakage of uranium waste from a concrete tank in Nongbah Jynrin, South West Khasi Hills.The Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) exploratory mining activities in Meghalaya dates back to the ’70s, however, following stiff opposition from civil society groups, the AMD stopped exploratory drilling in the state.
At the recently concluded session of the KHADC, the chief executive member (CEM) Titos Chyne said the Executive Committee (EC) would take the matter seriously and arrange a team of independent experts to conduct the inquiry.
