From forests to stones: Meghalaya resources continued to bleed in 2022

Tura: Roads are not the only resource in grave danger in the Garo Hills. Amid all the talks about the upcoming elections and restoring, preserving, and promoting democracy, the truth is that the region’s most important resource–natural wealth–continued to be plundered at alarming rates with zero consequences. Garo Hills has always been known for its flora and fauna – a scarce resource. However, like previous years, this year too witnessed huge tracts of natural resources attacked by smugglers. 

And the authorities seem more efficient at looking the other way than acting against smugglers. 

Timber and sawmills

To understand the gravity of the situation, one only needs to stand at the Chibinang Market near Phulbari in West Garo Hills. Timber is sold by people from the hills daily through the market every day. It would not take long for one to spot a vehicle carrying illegal timber coming through and if you think the government does not know, know this: these vehicles pass through a GHADC forest check gate with no action taken to stop these acts.

As per local sources, the collusion has been a long-known affair. Illegal timber-carrying trucks only have to ‘pay’ their royalty to the region’s forest custodians and get a free pass-through. There is also a monthly system charged to all mills in operation by the men meant to protect our forests.

“It cannot make sense otherwise. The department is very aware of where the illegal saw mills operate so if you are serious about shutting them down, all you have to do is cut off supply. These vehicles have to use the road monitored by the GHADC and by the state forest department. There is no question that they can be stopped. The blooming of over 100 sawmills across the plain belt of the WGH suggests they are more bothered about filing their pockets than saving the environment,” said a resident of Phulbari on the condition of anonymity.

The problem, however, is manifold. Truth be told, the state forest department has been understaffed for over a decade now, leaving them to fend with scarce resources. The GHADC, which should have been the main protagonist in the stopping of illegal timber, cannot be faulted as their salaries have been stuck for ages and if truth be told, the smugglers help them buy ration, the government doesn’t. 

As per sources, at least 100 illegal sawmills operate in the plain belt of West Garo Hills (WGH). From Hallidayganj to Tikrikilla, these operate with impunity. 

End of reserve forests?

Another factor is the region’s reserve forests. Latest reports on the forest cover now signify that these reserves have been denuded beyond repair. It has affected all reserves within Garo Hills and going by the way things have been shaping up, it is likely to continue.

Most state reserve forests are filled with high-value timber, including sal and teak. These prized timbers are sold at throwaway rates by some conniving locals to smugglers, most of who are allegedly from Assam. The smugglers make a fortune by clandestinely transporting these for sale in other markets.

Another worrying aspect of forest conservation is the continued encroachment of forest land by some unscrupulous locals. These acts have jeopardised efforts to reforest the Reserves.

The state reserves affected due to deforestation are the Rongrenggre Reserve, the Darugre and Dambo Reserves, Kharkutta Reserve, Chimunbangshi, Dibru, Angratuli, and Baghmara to name just a few. Even the Nokrek Biosphere has been affected by the continued felling of trees to plant commercial crops. As per estimates, the state has been losing about 25 sq km of forests every year to various activities like farming, encroachment, and smuggling. 

No end to stone quarrying

It is not as if forests are the only resources in peril. Even stone quarrying is rampant: how else does one explain that even companies contracted to pave roads within Garo Hills are quarrying stones illegally?

This startling revelation was made during an investigation over a company complaint about not having quarrying permission, despite being under contract for road renovation. It was later revealed that the company did not get the approval despite having applied for quarrying permission from the state more than 6 months ago. However, the company still managed to restore 35 km along NH 51 between Anogre to Tura without anyone batting an eyelid.

The same took place in other routes as well, with no one questioning the origin of the stones or how such illegal acts could be taken by companies expected to work within the limits of the law.

The problem is not only with companies but with small operators as well.

A report earlier had found hundreds of illegal stone quarries that were operational near the village of Chibinang. A crackdown led to the closure of almost all quarries, though as per reports, more than a dozen in places like Magalpara, Kangklanggre, and Najokgre among others. These continue to operate despite the checks put in place by the forest department.

The problem, say, locals, is the continued delay by the state departments in providing legal permission for carrying out quarrying activities.

“There is a huge demand for stones and this has to be satisfied somehow. When people seek permission for quarry stones, the files just don’t move beyond a point. They provide you with crusher permission but are loath to provide quarrying permission. This has led to a situation where people have had to operate quarries illegally just to ensure the crusher machines function properly,” informed a local from Chibinang.

Sand Mining:

After the High Court of Meghalaya directed to put a stop to rampant sand mining in various parts of the state, the state forest department took a strong stance on the act and put a stop to all forms of mining activities without the proper directions being followed. This resulted in a huge number of people losing their livelihoods. However, in time, these operators got the due permissions and began to work as per the guidelines of the government, or so they claim.

Coal Mining:

No analysis can ever be complete without the mention of coal mining and its impact on Meghalaya people. The mineral that provided the biggest revenue to the state has been in a state of stasis since the NGT sought a complete ban on rat hole mining in 2013. Almost a decade later, miners are yet to make the mining of coal functional through scientific methods.

With mines in most areas completely hidden or far from populations, it has become difficult to estimate the extent of rat hole mining that is taking place. With the HC coming down against such acts, the transportation of coal, whether legal or illegal, has come to a complete standstill in Garo Hills as well as most parts of the state.

Further, with the state not working hard on transporting the extracted coal through Coal India Limited (CIL) auction, the business of coal has become non-lucrative for now. 

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