Environment / Meghalaya

Shillong, Jan. 6: After Assam, it is Meghalaya’s turn to join the elite group of primate conservation region in the world. A Indo-US joint project on primates for conserving the endangered hoolock gibbons of Meghalaya will be launched this year. Initiated under the great ape conservation fund, the project is likely to be launched in and around the Nongkhyllem wildlife sanctuary in Ri Bhoi district and parts of Garo Hills.

A team from the Wildlife Institute of India and the US fish and wildlife service division recently surveyed the project area. Chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Sunil...

SHILLONG, March 25 ? Four years since the Anti-smoking Act banning smoking in public places in Meghalaya was enacted, the rules are yet to be framed! Making the admission in the State Assembly recently, Deputy Chief Minister DD Lapang, assured the House that the Government would frame the rules at the earliest and strictly enforce the Act. Earlier, replying to a starred question, the Transport Minister said the department have been issuing instructions, from tie to time, reminding the public that smoking in public transportation is banned by law. ?But the Government is dependant on the public...

TURA, Feb 22 — A mysterically large gorilla-like animal has been sighted inside the Nokrek National Park in Garo Hills. The animal was first sighted by two villagers of Sasatgre village, which borders the park, on January 23. The two villagers had gone deep inside the park when they saw the animal. The two villagers witnessed the large animal and its offspring from the top of a hill for three consecutive days. From the description given by the villagers, it appears the gorilla-like animal was covered with a dark coat of fur and was seen squatting in a plateau. Forest Department officials, on...

TURA, Feb 21 — The famous annual community fishing at Siju took place on Tuesday in the lake of late Captain Williamson Sangma. The community fishing, locally known as Wari Bila, was organised by the Tourism Department and the Ampang Mahari of Siju as part of the Winter Festival. The day-long affair began at 7.30 am with the arrival of the public at Siju cave. This was followed with the arrival of the invited dignitaries and traditional games competition. The community fishing started from mid-day. Fish from Siju is famous throughout the North-East and beyond. The fresh water lakes of Siju are...

SHILLONG, April 29: Umiam lake, popularly known as Barapani, which is in grave danger owing to severe siltation besides facing the problem of pollution, has found a saviour in the North Eastern Council (NEC). The Assam Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) SK Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the NEC, has assured of all possible help from the Council to save the Umiam Lake which is in danger of siltation. "I will see what could be done to save Umiam," he said while addressing a public function at Bhoirymbong in Ri-Bhoi district earlier this week. Though the Government of India has laid down that 'no new...

SHILLONG, April 28: The Additional District Magistrate, Mairang Civil Subdivision, has promulgated an order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting any person from intentionally kindling or setting fire to a forest within Mairang Civil subdivision in such a manner so as to endanger such a forest, an MIPR release said. The order has been passed based on various complaints from the Sordars, Headmen and Secretaries of various villages under the jurisdiction of the subdivision and also for the protection and conservation of environment, added the Additional District Magistrate. The order takes effect...

TURA, April 8: Tura town, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills and home to over a lakh people, has over the years begun to experience water shortage. The condition is most severe during the winters, from November to January and gradually extends to June until the monsoons arrive. Already the residents of many localities are unable to cope with this shortfall. To make matters worse, many of the streams and water holes have already dried up. The most affected areas are the main market area Hawakhana, New Tura, Dakopgre and adjoining areas which is home to a majority of the population...

SHILLONG, March 28: Bowing to public pressure, Meghalaya Government yesterday introduced a bill in the State Assembly seeking to ban the manufacture, sale, use and throwing of 'low density' plastic bags in public places. It had been a public concern that plastic bags are littered on public roads, drains, streams, footpaths, rivulets, parks, open spaces and grounds and every nook and corner specially in the Shillong city which was once known for its cleanliness. 'Shillong We Care', a leading NGO in the city had been campaigning for sometime for imposition of a blanket ban on 'non-biodegradable'...

SHILLONG, March 25: Meghalaya Forest Minister Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak told the State Assembly on Friday that the Government would soon acquire land for a State Zoo at Mawlei Mawkhah on the Shillong-Guwahati road, about 25 kms from here, at a cost of Rs 1.71 crore, reports PTI. Replying to a zero hour notice tabled by Pynshai Manik Syiem (IND), Mark said the land would be acquired by the Government after completion of land acquisition procedures by the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi district. The directive for setting up of the Zoo came from the Zoo Authority of India asking the authorities...

SHILLONG, March 4: Shillongites may soon have to carry shopping bags to the market as the Meghalaya Government has decided to ban plastic bags. The decision came in the wake of pressures from various NGOs and local 'durbars' who have been expressing grave concern over the extensive damages caused to the environment by the rampant use of low-density coloured plastic bags in the State. The Meghalaya Cabinet, in a meeting on March 2, approved a Bill, the Meghalaya Prohibition of Manufacture, Sale, Use and throwing of Low-density Plastic Bags Bill, 2001, which will be introduced in the Budget...