Lyngdoh called for an end to the blame game and urged everyone to work together to find solutions, not just in the short-term but in the long-term. “It is easy to blame someone else, but let’s be the part of the solution, not the problem,” he said. “It is time to look at this as the responsibility of all political parties.”
Lyngdoh said that due to climate change and unpredictable weather, the state is completely reliant on hydro power projects. He added that the demand for electricity has increased due to the growing population and the use of various electronic devices, such as mobile phones, televisions, laptops, and computers, as well as refrigerators and air conditioners.
“If we go for hydroelectric power, it will take a long time, but there are other sources of energy, such as solar energy, wind power…,” he said, adding that he is glad that the power minister is looking into the idea of developing a thermal power plant, as it is likely that a gas pipeline will pass through the state.
“If we can generate electricity from gas, it won’t have any impact on the environment,” he said. “Unlike the hydro power projects, the other sources can be commissioned and put into operation in 4-5 years.”
The leader of opposition expressed his confidence in the current power minister, saying, “We have a competent power minister. He had a power minister before him and I believe that because of his experience, the current government has appointed him as the power minister.”
Water source of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS)
He added that this catchment area extended all the way to the state-level constituency of Uttar Shillong. “If we don’t take care of this, we won’t be able to restore the green cover or protect the forest. And if those catchment areas dry up, the people in Shillong will suffer the most,” he said.
The leader of opposition further said that he held a formal meeting with the Chairman of the synjuk ki rangbah shnong, upper Shillong, to urge him to restore the forest in those catchment areas and to prevent the drying up of water sources. “I also had a formal meeting with Syiem of hima mylliem,” he added. “I am also a Congress legislator from mylliem.”
‘We should all work together to convince the Hima mylliem to cooperate with the state administration or any other agencies that are willing to support the regeneration of the forest and the protection of the trees and the increase of green cover.’
‘If we can do this when the rains come, the water will be kept, but as we are now saying, when the rains come we have flash floods but the water disappears after an hour.’ Lyngdoh added, “If the Hima doesn’t cooperate, they should be identified as they have vested interests that will prevent all of this.” He added, “When I was the MLAs then, Syiem was approached, but he didn’t take it seriously.”