SHILLONG, March 12: A day after Byrnihat was labelled the world’s most polluted city, the State BJP has urged the government to take the report seriously and carefully select an alternative location for an industrial complex through thorough study and meticulous planning.
Expressing concern over the recent World Air Quality Report by Swiss air technology firm ‘IQAir’, which ranked Byrnihat as the world’s most polluted place, the BJP’s Meghalaya unit stated that this unfortunate distinction has come as a rude shock to every environmentally conscious citizen of the state. Meghalaya has long taken pride in its clean and pristine surroundings.
BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang blamed the situation on weak enforcement and the absence of strong policies, emphasising the need for political will to implement necessary changes. “Haphazard development, ineffective policies, unregulated economic activities, and short-sighted planning have brought this grave disrepute to our wonderful state. We urge the government to take immediate remedial measures, create well-researched plans formulated by experts, and implement them with utmost strictness. This is crucial to prevent future generations from facing serious health issues,” Kharkrang said.
He further cautioned the government against adopting unplanned development models that prioritise economic benefits at the cost of environmental and public health.
‘Disaster in the making’
Kharkrang specifically criticised the plan to convert the Soil Conservation Training Institute in Byrnihat into an industrial complex, calling it a disaster in the making. “Not only will this worsen Byrnihat’s pollution crisis, but it will also disrupt an elephant migration path, further destabilising an already fragile ecosystem and increasing human-animal conflicts with serious consequences. While economic activity is essential, the government must exercise extreme caution and consider all factors when selecting locations for development projects,” he added.
