Tura, Oct 19: Several pressure groups of Garo Hills have expressed serious concern over alleged illegal coal mining activities near ecologically sensitive zones in South Garo Hills.
Following a joint inspection by representatives of GSU, AHAM, CAVC, GSMC, ACHIK and FKJGP on Saturday, they alleged that coal mining is being carried out in close proximity to protected forests and major rivers, posing a serious environmental threat.
They alleged that several rivers, including Rompa, Rongdik, Khakiza and Rongma, which are crucial sources of drinking water and irrigation for hundreds of families, are already showing signs of pollution, silting and drying of tributaries.
According to them, the mining area lies dangerously close to the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, a protected ecological hotspot home to dense forests and endangered species.
They cautioned that unchecked mining will lead to deforestation, soil erosion and wildlife habitat loss, threatening species such as the Hoolock Gibbon and Himalayan Black Bear.
Expansion of mining will destroy emerging eco-tourism destinations like Abong Chigat, Redingsni, Wari Chora and Tengte Rongrep, they said.
They stressed that tourism provides sustainable livelihood opportunities to local communities, whereas destructive mining harms nature, local income sources and the cultural identity of the Garo people.
