By The Editor
Health is most important possession of human beings and therefore it must be borne in mind that keeping healthy by eating balanced and nourishing diet and living in healthy environment is highly essential. When a person is healthy in body, mind and spirit he or she can perform great tasks thus earning good income needed for daily requirements and becoming economically stable. But due to population increase and rise of industries the environment has been much poisoned endangering human health. Crowded urban areas and rise in toxic gases emitted by different vehicles besides those from factories and manufacturing units are poisoning the environment rendering the air unfit for breathing. Air pollution, therefore, is to be regularly checked and controlled in order to keep environment clean and healthy. Robert J. McCracken said, “A healthy body makes for a healthy mind and a healthy soul”. Health experts have found that air pollution is not only unpleasant and a nuisance to the society at large but a serious health hazard. It is now acknowledged that air pollution is a contributory factor to increasing incidence of chronic respiratory diseases. It also reduces visibility and so increases risk of traffic accidents on land, sea and in the air.
Checking and monitoring of pollution due to various factors including air pollution is not sole monopoly of government agencies but also of well-concerned public. Meghalaya is developing in different sectors, which is good news, but at the same time precautions are necessary because pollution poses imminent danger to all sections of society. Students of Don Bosco School, Harlibagan, Byrnihat, Ri Bhoi district suffered illness due to terrible smoke and odour emitted by certain factory located nearby. The incident was noticed on the morning of February 9 when students of the school were practising for an upcoming sports event. School authorities have brought this to notice of village authorities as it was regular event in the past few months also affecting not only students but residents as well. Even the river that is located near the factory is filled with sewage which gives out foul and unhealthy smell.
The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) is indeed to be applauded in this connection because it has taken up the matter with all seriousness and has drawn attention of all concerned authorities. The organisation went to the spot for actual verification and also met school and village authorities before filing FIR (First Information Report) at Byrni Police Station and informing Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ri Bhoi followed by holding rally to voice their opposition to the factory which was all along neglected by government authorities. HITO also requested the DC to send doctors to the school to examine the pupils. According to village secretary and headman the factory did not have valid NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the village and the new executive community has already given an official letter to the factory’s owner.