The Meghalaya High Court today directed the State government to chalk out a road map for the preservation of Umiam lake and the smaller seasonal water bodies around the lake.
It also directed for demarcation of zones where construction can be permitted at a distance of 150 to 200 meters from the edge of the water at its highest level and subject to conditions pertaining to sewage not seeping into the Umiam waters.
“At any rate, greater executive action is necessary than what is perceived to be in place at the moment,” the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh said while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on the matter.
“As much as the tourist footfall increases in the State, there is a need for sustaining the tourism industry without disturbing or distressing the environment or the ecology. Again, this needs extensive executive planning,” the High Court said.
During the hearing, Dr. Manjunatha C, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Forest and Environment Department, was present in person and was represented by Advocate General Amit Kumar.
Several key aspects were pointed out by the court to the official who is present and to the Advocate General, including the disturbing anomalies noted in the latest report filed by senior lawyer S P Mahanta who is the Amicus Curiae appointed by the High Court in the matter.
In order that the matter “gets the attention that it deserves from the State government”, the High Court has fixed the next hearing of the PIL on February 23.
