The Committee on Environment of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly led by Chairperson Shri Wailadmiki Shylla today conducted inspections of Cement Plants and a Coke Plant at East Jaintia Hills District to assess the impact of industrial activities on the environment.
Committee Members Shri Mayralborn Syiem, MLA, Shri Sosthenes Sohtun, MLA, and Smti Santa Mary Shylla, MLA, alongside co-opted members Shri C.P. Marak IFS (Retd.), Dr. W. Ryngkhlem, District officials, and Meghalaya Assembly officials, were part of the inspection team.
The day commenced with a meeting at Khliehriat Circuit House, followed by inspections of Jaintia Coke Pvt. Ltd. at Shiehruphi, Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited at Thangskai, and Star Cement at Lumshnong, all located in East Jaintia Hills.
During the visit to Star Cement, Lumshnong, Shri Wailadmiki Shylla emphasized the committee’s role in ensuring that industrial activities do not come at the cost of environmental degradation. “As citizens and members of the Committee on Environment, we have an important task to ensure that environmental preservation and economic activities go hand in hand,” he remarked.
“We have a responsibility to leave behind a better environment and a brighter future for the coming generations,” he said, highlighting the importance of sustainable development in the region.
Shri Shylla also called on the line department to provide the committee with a comprehensive list of all coke plants in Jaintia Hills, both legal and illegal, if any. He further requested details on the sources of raw materials used by these plants. He also sought the list of quarries in both East and West Jaintia Hills, including limestone and boulder quarries.
“I also request the ambient air quality report for December, as the data provided to the committee so far covers only the past few months, which were during the monsoon season,” he added.
Shri Shylla also addressed the importance of worker safety and local employment in the cement industry. “I request that cement factory representatives prioritize the health of their workers. Ensure that proper equipment and regular health checkups are provided. As a local resident, I also ask that more local people be employed in these industries. There are many youths with degrees in chemical engineering, civil engineering, and other fields, so I request factory owners to accommodate local talent as soon as possible,” he said.
Shri Mayralborn Syiem highlighted the committee’s responsibility to oversee environmental issues associated with local factories and units, ensuring they do not harm the public. He acknowledged the private sector’s role in the state’s economic development and welcomed their efforts.
He raised concerns about air quality, calling for regular third-party monitoring and requested the latest reports from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board. He also stressed the importance of consistent water sprinkling practices and regular plantation efforts, not just on World Environment Day, to ensure that planted trees continue to thrive.
Shri Sosthenes Sohtun expressed gratitude to companies for their contributions to employment in the state but stressed the need for greater environmental responsibility. He emphasized the importance of using CSR initiatives to promote environmental sustainability.
He also raised concerns about quarrying practices, specifically limestone extraction, and urged relevant departments to establish regulations to prevent further environmental impact. He recommended implementing clear rules for sustainable quarrying.
Additionally, Shri Sohtun called for improved pollution control measures and advocated for expanding online monitoring systems to other factories and industries in the state.
Smti Santa Mary Shylla echoed these concerns and urged companies to take environmental restoration seriously. “This is a wake-up call for us, especially regarding the environment. I want to request all companies and small limestone miners to plant trees in the areas where they have mined. We must compensate the environment and society. If we cut down trees, we must also plant new ones to restore the balance,” she said.