JATAH (East Khasi Hills): The proposed Umngot Hydel Power Project has suffered a major setback with majority of the land owners having unanimously decided to oppose the project.

Land owners hailing from the nine villages who are going to lose their agricultural land on account of the proposed hydel power project have taken a unanimous decision to oppose the project during a public meeting held at Jatah village near Mawkynrew village in East Khasi Hills on Saturday.

Cement manufacturing giant Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd today said it was adopting a standardised approach to sustainable development by adhering to various environmental norms in its operations across

Shillong: Despite the French cement giant Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Limited (LUMPL) depositing a total amount of Rs 3 crore towards the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), the State Government is yet to carry out the plantation drive of about 4 lakh saplings in 470 hectares of land in the State.

“Under compensatory afforestation, about 4 lakh trees would be planted in an area of 470 hectares in the State,” LUMPL Board of Directors chairman Shivesh Sinha said during an informal interaction with media persons here on Thursday.

SHILLONG: Most of the headmen of Raid Lyngshing (Lynshing traditional chiefdom), which covers more than 20 villages under Mawkynrew Community and Rural Development ( C&RD) Block in East Khasi Hills, today opposed the proposed (3 x 80 MW) Umngot Hydro Electric Project. The opposing voices were heard during the public hearing organized by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) and the East Khasi Hills District Administration at Siang Khnai Village, 70 kms from here.

JOWAI: The proposed Rs 1853 crore power project in Jaintia hills has got the green signal from residents of several villages including Moosakhia, Sohmynting and Samanong under Amlarem Sub-Division who have unanimously voted in favour of commissioning the project.

The public support for the Umngot Hydro Electric Project (three stages of 80 MW each) proposed by the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) came forth during a public hearing on the project conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) at Moosakhia village in Jaintia Hills district on Friday.

SHILLONG: A severe storm hit Laitkor area this afternoon causing damages to more than thirty houses and leaving many homeless, with one person said to have been injured in the incident.

Speaking to this correspondent, S Pyngrope, headman of Laitkor Rngi said, “Our area is prone to cyclone, but this time, we are lucky as there are no major damage.” Meanwhile, acting swiftly, the District Disaster Management Authority under the district administration of East Khasi Hills has swung into action, distributing relief materials to the affected people.

SHILLONG: Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong has admission that the iconic Ward’s Lake of Shillong is polluted due to discharge of untreated wastes from a hotel and the Shillong Club.

Replying to a Call Attention Motion on Thursday he said due to constant seepage of effluents even fishes were dying. He also informed that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) had taken up the issue of non-compliance of environment rules by the polluters

SHILLONG: With an aim to bring holistic approach to development in the agricultural sector, the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), a strategic policy initiative to secure overall development of the Scheduled T

SHILLONG: After the successful implementation of the SPTS buses in the East Khasi Hills, the State Government has now decided to introduce ten buses, procured under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), in Jaintia Hills district.

Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh will formally flag off a fleet of swanky buses on February 18.

SHILLONG: The Leader of Opposition in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly demanded the State Government to close all the cement plants operating illegally in Jaintia Hills district, which have violated the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

Speaking to reporters in Shillong on Friday, Conrad Sangma said, “The high level committee of the government has found that most of the cement factories in Jaintia Hills are set up in the middle of the forest”.