Shillong, Nov 19: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata has taken suo motu cognizance of a report published in the Sunday edition (Sunday Monitor) of Meghalaya Monitor on July 7 (and not July 5 as mentioned in the NGT application) about the stone quarries in a Ri Bhoi village.
The New Delhi bench of the Tribunal registered the original application suo motu on August 2 and it was transferred to the Eastern Zone bench.
“The above news item indicates violation of the provisions of the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957”, read the application.
The Central Pollution Control Board and the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board filed affidavits on September 27. The state of Meghalaya has been granted four weeks to file counter-affidavits. The next hearing will be on November 29.
In an investigative report, Meghalaya Monitor visited Nongthymmai-Garo village along the Assam border and found that stone quarries were affecting the ecology of the place and the blasting was putting human lives at risk.
The original application observed that “extensive deforestation, loss of green cover, and
destruction of the Chidilma river have occurred due to the quarrying activities”.
“The forest, which provided sustenance during difficult times, is disappearing. Villagers face severe health issues due to stone dust, noise pollution, and vibrations from detonator blasts. Respiratory problems and sleep disturbances are common… The continuous quarry operations, including on Sundays, disrupt the social and cultural fabric of the community,” it observed.
Also read:
Ri Bhoi village ‘losing’ community forest to stone quarrying
