Meghalaya is only state in the country which records the highest density of elephant per square area.

SHILLONG: The Union Ministry of Rural Development recently approved an amount of Rs 231 crore for 75 road projects proposed to be implemented in Meghalaya under Phase VII of the Pradhan Mantri Graham Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

A senior government official on Monday informed that the funds were approved during a recent meeting of the Empowered Committee in New Delhi. “We are proposing to cover a total road length of 267 km under Phase VII. We are awaiting the sanction of the funds,” the official said. He also informed that the State Government is currently preparing the DPRs for black topping of various kutcha roads under PMGSY.

SHILLONG: Legislators especially from Garo Hills region have expressed their concerns over the water scarcity in Tura town.

The matter which was taken up by Garo National Council (GNC) legislator from Chokpot, Clifford R Marak in the form of a special motion said that the frequent water shortage in Tura was due to departmental negligence. “This is happening for too long. Shall I go for hunger strike in front of the Chief Minister’s office…then will the PHE department wake up,” Marak said.

Floodwaters in the plains belt of Garo hills in western Meghalaya have gradually receded but not without leaving a devastating impact on agriculture, the mainstay of the inhabitants of the area.

Shillong, Sept.

SHILLONG: Implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), popularly referred to as the rural electrification scheme, has been progressing at a snail’s pace affecting the rural people of Meghalaya.

According to officials associated with RGGVY, the central scheme is facing hurdles in its implementation for the last three areas, especially in laying transmission line and outsourcing of bill collection through franchisees.

SHILLONG: There is a decrease in the forest cover in the State as per an official report. The decline is a cause of concern considering the ecological impact it could have in the area.

While the forest cover in the State was 77.23 per cent as per the report in 2009, the percentage stands at 77.02 in 2011 showing a decline of 0.23 per cent. Rampant felling of trees in West Khasi Hills coupled with encroachment of forest areas by people in parts of Garo Hills have resulted in the loss of forest cover. There are also reports of deforestation in Garo Hills.

Shillong: The Shillong bench of Gauhati High Court has sought a report from the state government on the recent coal mine tragedy in Garo Hills and also on the steps taken to ensure safety of miners in the State.

Accepting a suo-moto PIL on the coal mine mishap, which reportedly claimed 15 lives, the bench directed the state government to submit the report in the form of affidavit by August 28.

SHILLONG: Close on the heels of the mining tragedy in Garo Hills region of the State where 15 miners lost their lives inside a rat hole mine in Rongsa Awe village in South Garo Hills, questions regarding the safety and security measures in place in these mines have cropped up.

Speaking to The Shillong Times, a senior police official from Garo Hills, on condition of anonymity, said safety and security measures are expected in mines that are extracting minerals in a scientific manner.

SHILLONG: To control the spread of malaria the State Government proposes to introduce larvivorous fishes popularly known as ‘mosquito fishes’ in a big way. Meghalaya continues to have high incidence of malaria especially in Garo Hills and parts of Khasi Jaintia Hills.

“We will conduct a detailed study on the efficacy of larvivorous fishes to control the spread of malaria since these fish feed on mosquito larvae. If this option proves effective in controlling the spread of malaria then it would provide the Government with an alternative to control the disease,

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