SHILLONG: With each passing day, the thick lush forest cover in West Khasi Hills district is fast thinning presenting a very worrisome sight. While the primary reason for the loss of forest cover points towards the rampant burning of firewood to generate charcoal, what is worrying is that even persons who own vast areas of forests do not seem to care or incline to protect their assets for the future generations.

Concerned over the dwindling forest cover especially in West Khasi Hills and the wanton burning of firewood for charcoal, Deputy Chief minister in charge of mining and geology Bindo M Lanong said,