Lists of limestone and boulder quarries also sought by committee
Shillong, Sept 15: Lists of all legal and illegal coke plants, and limestone and boulder quarries in Jaintia Hills region have been sought by the Committee on Environment of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly that carried out inspections in the region on Saturday.
The committee led by its chairperson Wailadmiki Shylla visited Jaintia Coke at Shiehruphi, Dalmia Cement at Thangskai, and Star Cement at Lumshnong and a coke plant in East Jaintia Hills district to assess the impact of industrial activities on the environment.
Three MLAs – Mayralborn Syiem, Sosthenes Sohtun, and Smti Santa Mary Shylla – CP Marak IFS (retd.), Dr W Ryngkhlem, district officials, and Meghalaya Assembly officials, were part of the inspection team.
“As citizens and members of the Committee on Environment, we have an important task to ensure that environmental preservation and economic activities go hand in hand,” Shylla said during the visit.
The committee also requested the respective industries to provide ambient air quality report for December
The data provided to the committee so far covers only the recent monsoon months.
Underlining the importance of worker safety and local employment in the cement industry, Shylla said, “I request that cement factory representatives prioritise the health of their workers. Ensure that proper equipment and regular health checkups are provided,” he said.
The committee also urged the industries to ensure employment of more local people. “There are many youth with degrees in chemical engineering, civil engineering, and other fields, so I request factory owners to accommodate local talent as soon as possible,” Shylla said.
Mayralborn Syiem highlighted the committee’s responsibility to oversee environmental issues associated with local factories and units, ensuring they do not harm the public. He acknowledged the private sector’s role in the state’s economic development and welcomed their efforts.
He raised concerns about air quality, calling for regular third-party monitoring and requested the latest reports from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board. He also stressed the importance of consistent water sprinkling practices and regular plantation efforts, not just on World Environment Day, to ensure that planted trees continue to thrive.
Sosthenes Sohtun expressed gratitude to companies for their contributions to employment in the state but stressed the need for greater environmental responsibility. He emphasized the importance of using CSR initiatives to promote environmental sustainability.
He also raised concerns about quarrying practices, specifically limestone extraction, and urged relevant departments to establish regulations to prevent further environmental impact. He recommended implementing clear rules for sustainable quarrying.
Additionally, Sohtun called for improved pollution control measures and advocated for expanding online monitoring systems to other factories and industries in the state.
Santa Mary Shylla echoed these concerns and urged companies to take environmental restoration seriously. “This is a wake-up call for us, especially regarding the environment. I want to request all companies and small limestone miners to plant trees in the areas where they have mined. We must compensate the environment and society. If we cut down trees, we must also plant new ones to restore the balance,” she said.
