United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator and member of the Assembly Committee on Environment, Mayralborn Syiem, has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating condition of rivers and streams in Meghalaya, citing widespread deforestation and unchecked industrial waste as key causes.
Despite a 12.46% decline in forest cover from 2001 to 2021, Meghalaya's susceptibility to deforestation is lower than in other Northeast Indian states, according to a study in the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment journal.
Speaking at the 75th State-level Vanmohotsav celebrations at Ambassa, district headquarter of Dhalai, the minister expressed grave concerns about the adverse effects of deforestation, including global warming, drying rivers, and increased flooding, which have been significantly felt in Tripura.
According to recent reports, Garo Hills has experienced a significant decline in forest cover, with illegal logging and coal mining wreaking havoc on the landscape.
