Khliehriat Sept 14: The Meghalaya Assembly committee on environment on Friday inspected cement and coke plants in East Jaintia Hills and said economic activities must go hand in hand with preservation of the environment.
The Meghalaya Assembly Committee was led by its Chairperson Wailadmiki Shylla and was accompanied by committee members and MLAs Mayralborn Syiem, Sosthenes Sohtun and Santa Mary Shylla. The objective of the inspection was to see how the industrial activities are impacting the environment.
The inspection team of the committee also included co-opted members CP Marak, retired officer, Dr. W. Ryngkhlem, district officials, and Meghalaya Assembly officials.
During the visit to one of the cement companies at Lumshnong, Shylla said the mandate of the committee is to oversee that industrial activities in the state don’t harm the environment.
“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.
The committee Chairperson added that everyone has a responsibility to leave behind a better environment for the future and said that all stakeholders must therefore ensure sustainable development in the region.
The members of the committee further asked the line departments to provide the committee with a comprehensive list of coke plants and also the limestone and boulder quarries operating in the state. The list should include both legal and illegal operators.
Shylla said the line departments should also furnish details of the sources of raw materials used by the coke plants. The Chairperson also asked for the data on the ambient air quality report for December.
Moreover, on safety of workers employed in these cement and coke plants, Shylla said the employers must ensure the health and safety of the workers. “Ensure proper safety equipment for the workers and also conduct regular health checkups,” Shylla said to the employers of the plants.
Stating that more locals must be employed in these industries, Shylla said, “There are many youths with degrees in chemical engineering, civil engineering, and other fields, so I request factory owners to accommodate local talent as soon as possible.”
Highlighting the role of the private sector in the state’s economic development, Mayralborn Syiem said the committee would ensure that developmental activities are in sync with environmental protection initiatives.
However, he raised concerns over air quality and said a third-party monitoring agency must check the air quality regularly. He also requested for the latest reports on air quality from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board.
Emphasizing the importance of using CSR initiatives to promote environmental sustainability, Sosthenes Sohtun lauded that some of these companies were providing meaningful employment opportunities for the youths of the state.
He, however, raised concern on 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.
Another member of the committee, Santa Mary Shylla, urged the 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,” she said.
