Shillong, Nov 9: KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM), Titosstar Well Chyne, on Tuesday admitted that the construction of dam over the Umngot River and Kulsi Dam over Khri River would affect the environment.
Replying to the motion raised by opposition Congress MDC Bajop Pyngrope demanding the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to not grant No-objection certificates (NOC) for the proposed two mega power projects under its jurisdiction, Chyne said the proposed dam on Umngot river will not only affect the environment and agricultural activities but also tourism.
Earlier, while moving the motion, Pyngrope claimed that 99% of the people are opposing the government’s move to implement these two projects. “The Executive Committee (EC) should not give NOC to such projects which will only affect the environment and well being of the people of the region,” he said. He added that the state government should conduct public hearings before deciding to go ahead with such projects.
He also mentioned that the Kulsi Dam proposed to be constructed by the Brahmaputra Board is also located in one of the “areas of difference” along the inter-state border with Assam.
Meanwhile, admitting to the environmental effect of the dams, Chyne alleged that the state government has gone ahead and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the implementing agency for construction of a dam over Umngot River without getting the consent from the district council.
“However based on a complaint submitted by a group of concerned people on April 1, I had immediate written to the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd and the East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner that they (government) cannot go ahead with the process of land acquisition without the consent of the district council,” he said while adding that following vehement opposition from the people and the KHADC, the government had scrapped the MoU.
The CEM further assured, “We will follow up the matter and ensure that the government also scraps the Umngot hydro power project.”
Kulsi dam over Khri River
On the move of the Brahmaputra Board to construct the Kulsi dam over Khri River, Chyne said that river is located along the inter-state border between Assam and Meghalaya adding that if the dam is constructed, it will affect and dislocate the people of villages of the two districts – West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi as over 5.75 sq km land will be submerged under water.
“In view of this, we have written to the two deputy commissioners as well as the state water resources department requesting that they should not, at any cost, approve the project. I have also met the minister concerned who assured me that the government will never agree to implementation of the project,” he said.
The CEM further assured that the executive committee will take up the matter very seriously to ensure interest of the people of the region is protected.
