Tura, March 10: Scenic natural sites in Garo Hills having the potential to generate revenue for a lifetime are falling prey to the greed of mining due to personal financial gains of village Nokmas or headman who hold custodian of the lands.
One of the highest waterfalls in Garo Hills, Re’nang Dare, located in Siju Nokatgre area of South Garo Hills, is under threat of ecological destruction after the Nokma of the area allegedly gave clearance for extraction of stones and boulders from its vicinity triggering a spate of protests from environmentalists and local organizations.
The problem began after a survey of the alloted area was carried out last week leading to angry protests from villagers living in the vicinity of the falls.
Fingers are being pointed at the village Nokma for leashing out this forested area to mining firms for financial benefits at the cost of destruction of nature.
On Saturday, Garo Students Union members from Karukol visited the site after being alerted by villagers.
“The Union hereby deliver unequivocal message to those individuals, corporations (if any) behind this move(Stone Quarry) that we vehemently opposed the Stone Mining that is about to take place here in Nokatgre Village, South Garo Hills. The reason behind this strong opposition against this move (Stone Quarry) is because we have witnessed with our own eyes that the site selection for Stone-Quarrying which is yet to begin it’s operations is eyeshot from the popular Re•nang Dare (Re•nang Waterfalls) which is one of the highest Waterfalls in the State of Meghalaya,” warned student union president Nikudimush R Marak.
The student body has urged districy authorities and the local MLA and Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma to take urgent steps to stop the proposed mining on the grounds it would be detrimental to the ecological balance in the region.
“People of Garo Hills does not want to witness the amount of damage done to this exquisite Waterfall just because of this stone-quarrying,” stated the union.
Villagers have also joined the chorus of protest saying the survey conducted even covers areas of arecanut plantation as well.
Sand-mining destroying another river
Meanwhile, another pressure is mounting on authorities against the widespread mining of sand from the bed of the Rongdik river in Karukol area.
Statement: Francis R Marak (General Secretary, Garo Students Union, Karukol Regional Unit)
“We have witnessed with the residents of Karukol and it’s adjoining areas the surge in sand mining in our region that continues unchecked, unregulated and is rampant within the jurisdiction of these villages, namely Dalenggittim, Nengkong & Emangre,” complained another student leader, Francis R Marak, general secretary of GSU Karukol unit and warned that citizens and student bodies will be compelled to agitate if authorities fail to put a stop to it.
