Opposition legislator Saleng Sangma has urged the state government to take measures against illegal coke factories, illegal coal mining and timber felling in order to combat climate change.
The Gambegre MLA said this as the state, especially parts of Garo Hills, is experiencing an unusual heatwave.
Schools in parts of the state have been ordered to close while all institutions have been told to put off outdoor activities for their students until the hot weather abates.
Speaking to reporters here today, Sangma said that the environmental situation is alarming.
Apart from illegal activities, there is also a lot of legal activity from which taxes meant for the rejuvenation of the environment are collected. However, Sangma said that this money is not being used properly and the government also has a duty to make the public aware about the need to protect the environment.
According to the opposition politicians, there is rampant cutting down of trees and smuggling in areas like South West Khasi Hills and this needs to stop in order to avert disaster.
“People are dying due to the heatwave and the government should take the initiative to make them understand about the importance of the environment,” he said while lamenting that people still practise slash and burn jhum cultivation instead of more modern, environmentally-friendly methods.
The state government, for its part, has maintained that the heatwave situation is “under control” and asserted that the Health Department is focused on dealing with any eventuality.
