Crackdown on illegal brick kilns in West Garo Hills

    19-Feb-2020
Newmai News Network
SHILLONG, Feb 18: The Meghalaya Forest department shut down seven illegal brick kilns in Phulbari region of West Garo Hills on Tuesday. Taking cognizance of numerous complaints from residents of the adjoining areas over air pollution and lack of valid documents to run these industries within residential areas, the Forest department in the presence of presence of a magistrate PR Sangma, the BDO of Demdema conducted the raids.
Most of the kilns were situated close to the road side and near residences of local people under Phulbari PS. Till the filing of this report, raids were still being conducted.
However rough estimates point to over 60-70 such industries operating out of the Phulbari region alone.
The 7 illegal kilns, as per reports, have already destroyed over 50 acres of prime farmland around the Phulbari region. The kilns also operate without permission from any state authorities and without the payment of taxes or NOCs.  
More actions, as per the state Forest department personnel, are likely to follow in the coming days.
“We will continue the crackdown on illegal brick kilns. These do not have any operational documents and are one of the biggest pollution problems for people of the area. Hopefully, we will be able to manage the menace,” said Ranger of Hollaidanga range, Tengban Marak.
Meanwhile, local organisations have hailed the move of the Forest department calling the action a huge benefit for people of the area.
“This is definitely a step in the right direction. We have been highlighting the menace these operators have been causing for a while now and are happy that action is finally being taken. We also hope that the situation is not relaxed going forward,” said president of GSU, FR Marak.