The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) through its environment cell has urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma not to implement the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) but bring in other sustainable alternative schemes.
In a letter to Sangma today, the KSU said it is opposed to oil palm cultivation in Meghalaya as this will result in vast deforestation which will automatically increase the carbon footprint, habitat fragmentation, habitat loss of organisms and will cause mass destruction to the ecosystem in the state.
Quoting reports that the plantation of such different monoculture crop, which is not indigenous will lead to the depletion of underground water and led to the diversion of stream waters the KSU said this it will adversely affect the water table and obstruct the natural flow of rivers and streams which is one of the main source of livelihood of the people.
Pointing out that the state is are facing water scarcity the KSU said palm oil cultivation is harmful to the soil due and growing it will cause soil pollution.
The KSU said that the centre’s decision to count oil palm plantation as forest cover and classifying it under the forest report, shows the attempt to manipulate the target put forth by the Union government on its pledge to the Paris Climate Agreement before 2030.
“This will create confusion and will misinform the public at large through its attempt to encourage widespread deforestation and replacement of other diverse,” the KSU said.
