Forest Dept’s Bold Crackdown: Unleashing Justice on Illegal Quarries and Crushers in Rajabala
Illegal Stone Quarrying Exposed in West Garo Hills
PHULBARI, Jan 13: Prompt action was taken by Meghalaya’s Forest Department following an exposé by The Shillong Times on rampant illegal stone quarrying in West Garo Hills’ Rajabala constituency. The report highlighted the presence of approximately 40 unauthorized stone quarries across various villages, including Balujhora, Malijhora, and Goalgaon, with locals suggesting over 100 illegal operations in total. Additionally, seven illicit stone crushers were noted, all functioning without proper licensing and extracting stones around the clock, some even perilously close to the AMPT road.
Alarmingly, villagers and sources from the Forest Development Corporation of Meghalaya alleged the use of explosives in stone extraction, with up to 1,000 vehicle loads of stones reportedly being removed daily. However, upon inspection by a team led by the Assistant Conservator of Forests, these claims were refuted, finding only about 12 illegal quarries, often less than 500 square feet, and three inoperative crushers.
The department had previously issued closure notices to these operations and initiated fresh warnings post-publication of the article on January 9. Increased surveillance and patrolling efforts have been undertaken to curb these illegal activities, although past attempts have been thwarted by tip-offs that allowed operators to temporarily dismantle their setups.
Historically, efforts to stop such illegal quarrying have only temporarily suspended these activities, as seen early in 2024 when another report temporarily ceased operations. The recurrence of these illegalities underscores the challenge of enforcing sustainable solutions. The Forest Department remains vigilant, striving to mitigate these environmental violations effectively.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/01/14/forest-dept-cracks-whip-on-illegal-quarries-and-crushers-in-rajabala/
Category : MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2025-01-14 01:34:00
