Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 189/22

SHRI. JAMES P.K. SANGMA LAYS FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE RESTORATION OF KYRHUHKHLA AND LUNAR RIVERS

As part of the Meghalaya Environment Week 2022 in celebration of World Environment Day, the Hon'ble Minister, Forests & Environment Department, Shri. James P.K. Sangma on Saturday the 4th of June, 2022 laid the foundation stone for the Project “Restoration of Kyrhuhkhla and Lunar Rivers using Phycoremediation Technology” at Umsyllih, Khliehriat West and also launched the project “Reclamation of Coal mining-affected land through afforestation” at Pohskhen, Khliehriat East. It may also be mentioned that the restoration of Kyrhuhkhla and Lunar River project is being implemented by Trinity International and funded by the MEPRF and it will benefit 25 villages in the district that falls on the path of the Lunar river. The Minister was accompanied by Shri. B. K. Lyngwa IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HOFF. Shri. S.M.A. Razi IRTS, Commissioner & Secretary, Forest & Environment Dept, Ms. Imtienla Ao, IFS, Deputy DirectorGeneral of Forest, Ministry & Environment & Forest, Climate Change, Regional Office, Shillong, and Shri. E Kharmalki, IAS, Secretary, Mining and Geology Dept. An official function was held at Community Hall, Khliehriat West, East Jaintia Hills District for the celebration of World Environment Day which was organized by the Forest and Environment Department along with the Mining and Geology Department, Government of Meghalaya through the Office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, Jaintia Hills, Jowai. The function was also attended by Dr. Manjunatha C IFS, PCCF& HoFF, Meghalaya, Shillong, Shri. A. Baranwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, Shri. Jagpal Singh Dhanoa, IPS, Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, and Shri. Sukhdev Singh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Trinity International among others.

Addressing the programme, the Hon'ble Minister, Forests & Environment Department, Shri. James. P. K Sangma said that the project is being done after the successful completion of the pilot project in certain points of the Lukha River by Trinity International. Speaking on the theme of the World Environment Day 2022 “Only One Earth”, he said that for life to sustain itself or to exist there are two things that are required, air and water, and the two programmes launched today bear a lot of significance as it is related to water and air. The Forest and Environment Minister also stated that the phycoremediation project is a simple project using nature to solve nature problems. He also said that the Government is coming up with Out-of the box solutions and will move forward to finding a solution in nature called bioremediation to solve the environmental problems.“This is a project of such great importance as it is going to benefit the people of this area, the rivers will come back to life and we will use this technology and keep scaling it up to also include other rivers in our state” he added. He also thanked the Deputy Director General of Forest Ministry of Environment and Forest, Climate Change, Regional Office, Shillong, Ms. Imtienla Ao, IFS, the Government of India, and the officials of the Department of Mining and Geology, Forest and Environment Department and the Trinity International for their hard work and support in making these projects a reality.

Shri. Nabha Battacharya, Chairman, State Expert Appraisal Committee, in his keynote address said that in the year 2018, the Government took up the initiative to rejuvenate the different rivers of the state, particularly with emphasis on rivers that have been affected by Acid Mine Drainage(AMD). Speaking on the Project ``Restoration of Kyrhuhkhla and Lunar Rivers" Using Phycoremediation Technology, he said that it took three years to formulate and strategize the project with lots of research involved in it. He further stated that it is only algae that can destroy sulfur emanated from coal and phycoremediation is a part of bioremediation where the impurities of the water can be treated by the algae in a natural way and it is also eco-friendly and carbon neutral. He also informed that from 20 algae ponds the algae will be released for the treatment of Acid Mine Drainage(AMD) and other issues of the rivers in the district.

Shri. S.M.A. Razi, IRTS, Commissioner and Secretary, Forest and Environment, Government of Meghalaya in his speech said these restoration and rejuvenation efforts go a long way towards restoring the environment, the quality and purity of water, and also addressing the climate change reality that has impacted all around the world. He appealed to people present at the gathering to cooperate and participate in all these efforts that are carried out by the Government and the community in addressing climate change. “Environment has become a top priority for everyone and it is an effort towards making Meghalaya an environment-friendly and environment-conscious state” he added.

Others who spoke on the occasion were the Secretary, Mining and Geology Department, Shri. E Kharmalki, IAS, Deputy Director General of Forest, Ministry & Environment & Forest, Climate Change, Regional Office, Shillong, Ms. Imtienla Ao, IFS, and Shri. B.K. Lyngwa, IFS, PCCF & HoFF, Meghalaya, Shillong.

During the programme, prizes were also distributed to the winners of Essay Competition, Drawing & painting and Slogan was organized to celebrate the World Environment Day 2022. Also, as part of the Environment week, the Minister of Forest and Environment Department, Shri. James. P. K. Sangma along with the officials also planted saplings at Umsyllih, Khliehriat West, and at the coal mining affected land at Pohskhen, Khliehriat East. 3000 Nos of saplings were planted which saw the participation of principals, teachers, students, coal mine owners, the public and local headmen.

Press Release No. 190/22

CITRONELLA AND TREE PLANTATION FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF MINING AFFECTED AREAS ON 04.06.2022

As part of the celebration of Environment week 2022, the Institute of Natural Resources, Meghalaya on Saturday the 4th of June, 2022 organized a programme for Ecological Restoration of Mining affected areas at Kmaiprut, Narwan, East Jaintia Hills District. The Hon’ble Minister of Forest and Environment Department, Shri. James. P.K. Sangma attended the programme as the Chief Guest. The programme was also attended by the Executive Director, Meghalaya Institute of Natural Resources Shri. Gunanka D.B and Staff the Institute of Natural Resources and Headman of Kmaiprut, Narwan village.

While addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Minister of Forest and Environment Department, Shri. James P.K. Sangma said that citronella plantation improves the PH balance of the soil by reducing the acidity and also increasing the biomass which is well suited for the areas affected by coal mining. “Coal as natural resource has been a boon for the people of Meghalaya but, what is important is that coal is a finite resource, it is something that will eventually run out”, he said, while also stating that the basis on which people are dependent for livelihood like coal and coal mining is one day going to become a big challenge as coal mining have a very big impact on the soil and people will not be able to resort to agriculture as another source of livelihood. The Minister also said that the programme for restoration of mining-affected areas by the Institute of Natural Resources, Meghalaya is something very sustainable because it looks at how to improve the soil quality, reduce the acidity and also encourage people of the area to go for citronella as an alternative means of livelihood.

Shri. Gunanka D.B, Executive Director, Meghalaya Institute of Natural Resources briefed the gathering on the importance and benefits of citronella plantation for restoration of the soil. He requested the people of Narwan village to continue their citronella plantation for at least 3 to 4 years and once the soil is restored then they start other types of farming.

As part of the programme, the Minister of Forest and Environment Department, Shri. James P.K. Sangma along with the Executive Director, Meghalaya Institute of Natural Resources, Shri. Gunanka D.B, the local headman and people of the village planted citronella and tree saplings at Kmaiprut, Narwan village.