Scheduled public hearing postponed due to public concern over impact on Umkhen river
Shillong, Mar 29: Even as the government is making efforts to convince the stakeholders about the necessity and feasibility of the proposed landfill site at Lum Sohlait, there has been concern over the landfill affecting crucial water sources of the villages nearby among other issues.
The proposed landfill in Nonghali village in East Khasi Hills has been proposed as an alternative of the age-old landfill at Marten, Mawiong on the outskirts of the city.
At a meeting with leaders of various villages located in the region shared by East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and West Jaintia Hills districts on Saturday, the villages were granted one more month to create more awareness about the project.
The meeting was called to discuss and explain the intention of Urban Affairs department to set up a scientific landfill at Lum Sohlait in Nonghali village.
However, the village chiefs expressed concern over the landfill’s possible impact Wah Umkhen river flowing below the site, deputy commissioner RM Kurbah told reporters.
Mentioning that even a scheduled public hearing on April 2 had to be postponed due to opposition from the traditional heads, Kurbah underscored the need for Urban Affairs department and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) to create more public awareness on the need for the landfill at Nonghali.
“They are more concerned about Wah Umkhen as it is their main source of water. We had explained to them about the project, but they felt the need for more awareness in their respective villages. We gave them a month’s time to consult with their respective villages,” said Kurbah.
The DC also said a similar meeting with all traditional heads will be held after one month.
She said the traditional heads have been explained that when the present landfill at Marten Mawiong, when it came up, was meant for only 10,000 population.
Explaining the technology to reduce environmental impact, she said, “We explained to them that till 2016, people were dumping the garbage openly at Marten, but after 2016, waste segregation was introduced… now the waste both solid and liquid are not overflowing to Umiam lake.”
Meanwhile, Synjuk Nong Synshar Shnong Par Umkhen president Super Rngaid said the people of these villages do not trust the government in terms of setting up of a landfill at Nonghali.
He admitted that people are concerned over impact of the proposed landfill on Wah Umkhen, a lifeline especially for farmers of over 15 villages.
“In the meeting, we urged the DC to first create awareness, discuss with all the people and also make a proper agreement before taking the project forward,” he said Rngaid.
