Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chief Pyniaid Sing Syiem on Wednesday assured to call for an all MDC meeting within two weeks’ time for discussion on the issue related to sand and stone mining vis-à-vis livelihood activities of the indigenous people.
“We will be calling a meeting of all the MDCs in regards to the issue of sand and stone mining,” Syiem said while replying to a motion moved by the Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne on the livelihood of the people residing within the jurisdiction of the Council during the last day of the budget session.
The CEM said that a ban on sand and stone mining has been imposed as per the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016. He however said the issue has to be discussed because people are anyway engaging in mining of such minor minerals during the night time due to the ban.
According to him, there is a need to bring back traditional methods of mining.
Asserting the need to strike a balance between livelihood of the people and protection of the environment, Syiem said that the council will not allow mining activities along the catchment areas of water bodies.
“The Executive Committee will not compromise (in its decision against) mining activities along the catchment areas,” he said.
Further, the CEM informed that the Council will also call a meeting with the traditional heads of different Elakas on the need to come up with a policy to identify areas for carrying mining activities.
“We need a policy to identify mining areas to prevent rampant mining so that we strike a balance between livelihood activities and protection of the environment,” he said while informing that a joint meeting with the forest department will also be held to address the issue.
Meanwhile, the CEM said that the council will not be able to please everybody but will try to come up with a decision that will be both for the interest of the people and the environment.
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