Shillong, Sept 22: Underscoring the value of environment, and the need to conserve it in every way possible, especially at a time when issues like climate change are likely to become critical threats, Meghalaya Forest & Environment Minister James K Sangma on Tuesday assured the people of Mylliem and Upper Shillong area that the state government has no intention of diverting any protected forests to the Air Force.

The assurance was made is response to National People’s Party (NPP) leaders of the Mylliem Block submitting a memorandum expressing the concerns of the people of Mylliem regarding the diversion of forest land to the Air Force.

“As a government, we treat such concerns with utmost importance and have been very clear in our understanding that all such protected forests, which fall under the forest department, are critical catchment areas. Therefore, in terms of land and forest conservation, they are of the greatest environmental importance,” Sangma said in a statement.

“I would therefore like to assure the people of Mylliem and the Upper Shillong area that the government has no intention of diverting any protected forests to the Air Force,” he said.

Appreciating the NPP leaders of Mylliem for being environmentally conscious and bringing such concerns to the notice of the government, Sangma said the government remain committed to the goals of holding environmental protection and conservation as one of its top