The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has lodged a formal objection with the Director of Soil and Water Conservation to the proposed handover of forest land for industrial development in Byrnihat, Ri-Bhoi.
HITO said that the use of the forest for industry will result in a cascade of devastating environmental, social and economic impacts that will undermine the well-being of the community and threaten the health of future generations.
Biodiversity will be hit hard, the delicate balance of the natural ecosystem would be disrupted, pollution will increase, climate change will worsen, etc, HITO claimed.
“As an organisation dedicated to the preservation and management of our natural resources, we (HITO) find this move incompatible with the Soil and Water Conservation Department’s mission to protect soil, water and vegetation. The proposed conversion of forest land into industrial use contradicts the core values of conservation and stewardship that the department upholds,” HITO added.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya government plans to convert 134 acres of land that belonged to the Social and Water Conservation and Agriculture Departments into an industrial estate to pave way for its 10 billion dollar economy road map.
