HT Bureau
DIPHU, Feb 12: The Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), Karbi Students Association (KSA), and ASDC Youth Front have submitted a memorandum to chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, regarding alleged unabated illegal coal mining in Karbi Anglong forests. The ASDC stated that this activity is endangering the ecosystem for the sake of short-term monetary benefit.
The memorandum highlighted that unchecked coal mining in forested areas has caused damage to the ecosystem and wildlife habitat. Forests have become degraded, and biodiversity is endangered, with a reduction in the number of plant and wild animal species. Even the Disobai River has turned yellowish due to continued coal excavation.
Hills and forests are blasted and leveled, significantly altering the landscape. Trees are cut down or burned, plants uprooted, and topsoil scraped away, leading to land destruction and soil erosion. The land becomes unsuitable for crops, and the loosened topsoil washed down by rains carries sediments into rivers, streams, and waterways.
Downstream, fish are killed, and plant life blocks river channels, causing flooding. The contamination with chemicals poses hazards to health. Areas of illegal coal mining include Nambor, Bithiplang, Koilajan, Disobai, and Klurdung (Bakulia).
The ASDC emphasised that illegal coal mining should be stopped before further environmental degradation occurs.
