Affidavit on behalf of Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills district, Baghmara on a stone quarry in Budugre, 03/03/2024
Affidavit on behalf of Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills district, Baghmara in the matter of Analson Sangma Vs State of Meghalaya & Others, March 03, 2024.
A committee of experts constituted by the NGT carried out physical inspection of the stone quarry of M/s Alpha D Marak, located at Budugre, Chokpot, South Garo Hills district, on February 2, 2024.
The report said that the quarry is situated on top of a steep hill surrounded by thick vegetation. It is located about 150 meters away from the main road and some 200 meters away from the nearest habitation. The river Dareng, an important river in the area, is located about 100 meters away from the quarry and one can clearly hear the sound of the river from the quarry site. Water from this river is used by the locals for domestic purposes like drinking, irrigation, washing clothes, bathing. Trees that have been felled were still lying on the ground wasting away in the vicinity of the quarry especially towards the slope.
The overburden of large amounts of rock and soil was observed due to mining activities which posed a threat to the flow runoff into the river Dareng. This can cause siltation and water pollution in the river especially during rainy seasons. The stability of the approach road used for traversing of vehicles for mining activity is questionable as it was observed, the soil used for laying the road is not properly compacted and is in danger of giving away.
The committee recommended that there should be an assessment of damage to trees, flora and fauna as well as degradation of soil due to the mining activity required to be assessed by concerned departments. Proper safety measures like retaining wall, drainage system and settling tank should be constructed to arrest landslide and runoff downhill especially during rainy season. Submission of restoration plan including the reuse of the area after quarrying should be submitted for approval the report recommended.
Note: The report of March 03, 2024 was uploaded to the NGT site, April 18, 2024