To convince residents of the need to set up a new landfill in Nonghali, the State government today held a meeting with leaders of 15 villages from Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills and West Jaiñtia Hills districts.
It may be mentioned that on January 10, this year the public hearing for the proposed new landfill scheduled at Nonghali was put off today after residents of 15 nearby villages rallied together to oppose the government’s plan.
The district authorities had planned another public hearing on April 2 but this too has been postponed since there is ambiguity on the matter.
Those present at the meeting were a delegation of Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Par Umkhen, consisting of 15 villages.
The district administration was represented by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Rosetta M Kurbah, representatives from the office of West Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts, officers of Urban Affairs Department, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Shillong Municipal Board among others.
President of the Synjuk, Super Rngaid said that although the government explained things in detail it was nothing new. He said that what the residents are suspicious about is that the government says one thing but does another.
“We are yet to trust the government even if they have given us a detailed explanation on the matter,” the president said.
Rngaid said that the Synjuk will hold an awareness programme for the residents of the 15 villages on the matter within a month even as it urged the government to postpone the public hearing slated for April 2, as the residents were not aware of it.
He also said that if the project was to go ahead there should be a clear cut agreement for the safety of the present and future generations.
Rngaid also said that the Synjuk is opposing the project because the site is on top of Umkhen river. He said that residents of the 15 villages are dependent on this river.
“We feel that this project may affect the Umkhen river and we do not want to lose it,” he added.
Rngaid also alleged that the government on many occasions are careless and projects are not implemented as per rules which may put the people’s health at risk. “It can be hazardous to residents living near the landfill if we do not have clarity since the beginning of the project,” he added.
The president also said that surrounding the proposed landfill are farmlands and if there is no proper protection for Umkhen river, the dirt from the site will run-off into their lands.
Meanwhile, the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner said it has been generally agreed that before this project is taken up there will be an agreement between the two parties.
“As it usually happens whenever there is a government project related to the public there is a MoU,” Kurbah said.
