SHILLONG, Aug 11 – With mining being the largest industry of Meghalaya, exploitation of mineral resources are underway in the State overlooking laid norms and sand mining is one such example.

Despite the recent ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) across the country on mining of sand from river beds, the effect of the ban has made no impact in Meghalaya.

The Green Tribunal passed the order recently after the suspension of IAS officer, Durga Shakti Nagpal, who had taken on the sand mafia in Uttar Pradesh.

In Meghalaya, on one such example of illegal sand mining, is at Umtyngnar river. The water body is the primary source for the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme, but this has not deterred miners to illegally extract sand leading to pollution of the river, which has subsequently diminished the aquatic life in it.

“It is these kinds of rampant mining and destruction that would eventually lead to catastrophe in Meghalaya like in Uttarakhand, if steps are not taken to stop such activities,” Naba Bhattacharjee Meghalaya People’s Environment Rights Forum (MPERF) president said after visiting the river source with journalists recently.

Bhattacharjee said that although mining cannot be totally banned as several people’s livelihood is involved, but in such important catchment areas immediate steps must be taken for protection. He said unless quick action is not taken drinking water would be in short supply for the people residing in the State capital.

On mining of limestone and coal in the Jaintia and Garo Hills violating the Forest Regulation Act, Bhattacharjee said, first government officials must be held responsible if provision of any Act is violated. On Meghalaya Government’s claim that just five per cent of the land is under its control while the remaining 95 per cent is under the community, Bhattacharjee said it is not true.

He pointed out that there are enough provisions in the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (Management and Control of Forests) Act, 1958 for the district councils to step in to prevent environmental degradation.