Sand Mining Goes Unregulated In Garo Hills

Centre for Environment Protection and Rural Development (CEPARD), a Tura-based NGO said that “excessive” sand mining was one of the reasons for erosion and rivers like Ganol changing its course.

- Saidul Khan

CEPARD said that ille-gal sand mining in Me-ghalaya’s Garo Hills has been posing a serious challenge for the environment and hence threatening the low-lying areas with frequent erosion and submergence of villages particular in the plain belt areas of West Garo Hills and in neighbouring Assam’s South Salmara - Mancachar district.

However, there are no concrete and scientific studies to vouch their claims.

“Buoyancy of water table in plain belt areas of Garo Hills is not stable anymore. In dry season, the segment of Ganol river remains dry that affects the riverine ecology,” said CEPARD president Samgar Sangma.

The organisation justifies its claim with areas along the Ganol River, which has submerged and huge erosion, which has led to increase of river and its course changing.

FEAR OF SAND MINING THREAT

In 2014, the fear of sand mining threat was first brought to light after the devastating flood, which killed over 100 people. The State Disaster Management Authority had recorded the flood as the “worst-hit” in 30 years.

Following the flood, the issue of ecological imbalance was discussed at length and directions were issued by Meghalaya government to follow stringent measures to regulate all kinds of mining in the state, particularly stone mining along forest areas, wherein huge deforestation had been a reason for ecological imbalance. Soon after the flood the stone quarries and mines were stopped.

The perceived threat of sand mining was pointed out but measures to regulate it has not been taken because of the fact that most of the people engaged in sand mining were villagers and they have been dependent of sand mining for ages.