By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 10: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has written to the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change (MoEFCC), seeking exemption from the application of the recent Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the Ministry concerning proposed uranium mining in areas falling under the Council’s jurisdiction.
KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh informed that the communication was sent in response to a letter received from the Ministry on September 8 regarding the OM.
He reiterated the Council’s firm stands that the traditional landholding systems — Ri Kynti and Ri Raid — must be preserved within the Scheduled areas under the KHADC.
The office memo seeks to do away with public consultations and hearings under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework for mining projects involving atomic minerals like uranium.
