The Meghalaya government has voiced significant concerns over the proposed limestone mining in Assam's Dima Hasao district, citing potential adverse effects on Meghalaya's caves and community reserve forests.
This concern was prominently raised during the first meeting of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on June 19, where Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Ranjit Singh Gill represented the state.
Gill, who is also the Head of Forest Force Meghalaya, highlighted the risks associated with mining operations extending into Meghalaya’s ecological zones.
He presented a letter from the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya to the CEC, emphasising the potential threat to community reserves adjacent to the mining site.
“We are deeply concerned about preserving the ecological integrity of Meghalaya’s caves and the community reserve,” Gill stated. The mining operations in Assam could negatively impact these vital environmental areas.
Furthermore, Gill noted that an officer was assigned to attend the second CEC meeting on August 14 but failed to appear. The PCCF assured that efforts are underway to address this lapse and ensure that the matter receives proper attention.
Dima Hasao in Assam is poised for large-scale limestone mining, with seven limestone and one iron ore block set for bidding.
The Assam government has advertised these blocks, which are located in a region critical to both environmental balance and local communities.
Limestone mining, involving blasting technology, poses severe ecological risks. The blocks are situated near the Kopli river, a crucial lifeline for the district. The environmental impact of mining activities, including potential pollution and downstream effects, remains unaddressed.
Meghalaya’s concerns are particularly acute due to the proximity of the mining blocks to ecologically sensitive caves within the state. Notably, the advertised limestone blocks are adjacent to natural caves of significant ecological value.
These caves, including Krem Labit Umkyrpong, Krem Liat Prah—the longest natural cave in Asia—and Krem Tynheng, are vital to the region's biodiversity and attract international tourists and speleologists.
Krem Labit Umkyrpong, located approximately 200 meters from the mining area across the Kopli river, and Krem Liat Prah, about 8 kilometers away, are at risk from the mining operations.
Additionally, Krem Tynheng in Samasi village is situated about 5 kilometers from the blocks. The caves also serve as important roosting sites for Amur Falcons migrating from Siberia to Africa.
The large-scale auctioning of mineral blocks in a single district is unprecedented and raises concerns about potential ecological disasters.
The Parivesh portal of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notes the proximity of community reserves to the limestone blocks, amplifying the potential environmental threats.
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