Illegal limestone mining rampant in Meghalaya’s Jaintia Hills

Shillong: There are reports that illegal limestone mining is rampant in Meghalaya’s Nongtalang and Amlari village under Amlarem Subdivision, West Jaintia Hills District, which are being carried out by flouting all rules of MMMCR 2016 and MMDR Act 1957.
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Jaintia Hills Territorial Division, Jowai had issued notice to all the Mining Lease Holders under Nongtalang and Satpator (Amlari) Elaka on illegal limestone mining.
In the notice, the DFO stated, “I would bring to your notice that this office is issuing Form – H (under Rule. 26 of MMMCR 2016) to the mining lease holder for transportation of limestone extracted only at their respective mining lease area approved by this office.
However, it has been brought to the notice of the undersigned that some mining leaseholders are misusing challans by transferring it to entities that are indulging in illegal mining of limestone outside the leased area and helping them in transportation of their illegally mined limestone through such transfers”.
Stating that such activities are illegal and punishable as per MMDR Act 1957 and MMMCR 2016, the DFO has directed all mining lease holders to stop transferring challans Form-H to such entities with immediate effect, or else the matter shall be viewed very seriously and action can be taken as per the provisions of the Act.
“Considering that you are facilitating encouraging the illegal mining (in Nongtalang Elaka and Satpator Elaka) and misusing of Form-H issued under Rule 26 of MMMCR. 2016. Besides, this office shall also terminate your mining lease granted for lime stone under MMMCR 2016,” the notice said.