SHILLONG:
A division bench of the Meghalaya High Court, on May 24, directed the state government or any other local authorities not to allow any construction to come up within 50 metres of the high-water mark of the relevant water body without the express previous leave of the court.
Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh, while hearing the case also stated that the state government should make every endeavour to preserve all the water bodies in Meghalaya.
During the hearing on Wednesday, an affidavit was filed by the secretary to the state government in the Forest and Environment Department.
“Such affidavit indicates that the sub-committee of experts have drafted a set of norms and guidelines for future construction around the water bodies in the state,” the division bench stated.
The court also stated that it appears that the draft guidelines for protection and conservation of water bodies have also been submitted.
“The state submits that the draft guidelines have been circulated for comments from various Departments and the District Councils. At the request of the state, let the matter stand over for eight weeks for a firm stand pertaining to the guidelines to be indicated,” the division bench stated.
The next hearing on the case will be on July 19, 2023.