The ban on stone quarrying and sand mining has hurt the livelihoods of the poor people of Meghalaya and has hindered the supply of these materials to construction projects in the state, Mylliem MDC Ronnie Lyngdoh said today in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
“We all understand the steps taken are to protect the environment but there has to be a balance because the implementation of the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules 2016 for regulating the grant of mining leases and quarry permits in respect of minor minerals has shattered the livelihoods of many because the mining lease or quarry permit cost a lot and are unaffordable to many,” he said.
Incessant rains this summer have destroyed the crops of many poor farmers in the state and they are also prevented from finding alternative income by the ban on stone quarrying and sand mining, the MDC said while calling for the council to look into the matter.
“Let’s protect the environment and also see that people’s livelihoods are also protected,” he added.
In support of the motion, MDC Bindo Lanong said that the rules have not only affected the livelihoods and economy of the indigenous people but also go against the personal rights of the people and obstructed development.
“The rules should be lifted or relaxed immediately because, in most constituencies, many are directly dependent on these activities and there should be a major relaxation for the minor minerals,” he stated.
In defence of the state government, Rambrai-Jyrngam MDC Bajop Pyngrope said that the ban was not brought in by the state government but by the High Court.
He also stated that the ban on mining licences for the export of limestone was also based on a court case and the High Court decided that limestone falls under the category of minor minerals and cannot be exported outside the country.
“I have also spoken to the Chief Minister about this and he has assured me to try to work out a strategy to bring an amendment so that the minor mineral licence holders will once again be able to export limestone internationally,” Pyngrope said. “Everyone blames the state government, which is not fair, but we should understand that we also have the judiciary and the legislative.”
Responding to the debate Chyne said that the KHADC will suggest that the government fully exempt the process of applying for mining leases for those having a small plot of land or a stone quarry less than 1 hectare or 1,000 square feet.
Stating that the debate is not about allowing massive mechanical operations to quarry stone or mine sand, Chyne said that traditional mining and quarrying uses only small tools that do not harm the environment to the extent of modern methods.
