Green-Tech Foundation demands demolition of illegal structures erected over Wah Thangsniang
The Green-Tech Foundation on Saturday sought action against unlawful and illegal encroachment upon Wah Thangsniang and erection of permanent structures thereon at the boundary between Nongrimbah and Nongrim Hills.
It has also demanded enquiry to identify all defaulting officers, who have allowed such unlawful and illegal construction besides demolition and removal of all kinds of structures erected over Wah Thangsniang specifically at the boundary between Nongrimbah and Nongrim Hills.
A complaint in this regard was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) and Shillong Municipal Board (SMB).
Chairman of GTF HBN Nonglang said an unlawful and illegal encroachment upon Wah Thangsniang along with the erection of permanent concrete structures by some unknown person(s) can be evidently observed at the boundary between Nongrimbah and Nongrim Hills, Shillong.
Wah Thangsniang springs from Stream Lawjynriew flowing through Lumpyngngad, Jingkieng, Nongthymmai, Nongrim Hills, MES, Nongrimbah, Nongrimmaw and Demsieniong.
However, the sudden development of construction over the said water body specifically at the boundary between Nongrimbah and Nongrim Hills, Shillong raises numerous questions despite having strict norms and even a Standing Order passed by the High Court of Meghalaya in a suo motu PIL No. 10 of 2019.
“The purported construction which is being constructed over the said water body have grave ramifications since they pose a threat to life and property against the residents residing along the stretch of the said water body,” he said.
“Moreover, rules and regulation as prescribed under the Meghalaya Waterbodies (Preservation and Conservation) Guidelines, 2023 have deliberately been violated by this very prima facie act of encroachment over the said water body. The unlawful and illegal construction erected over the said water body have blatantly violated all norms implemented so as to control pollution and maintain the pristine beauty of a water body in the state of Meghalaya. Moreover, it may be perceived that the person(s) accountable for such unlawful and illegal construction have disregarded all norms and sought to bypass the operation of law,” Nonglang said while adding that this unlawful and illegal act is causing nuisance against the flow of the said water body since the natural flow of water is now being compromised due to the erection of permanent structures over the said water body which are liable to be addressed as per penal provisions of law.
In the complaint, the GTF has demanded the need to conduct an enquiry to identify all defaulting officers who have allowed the aforementioned unlawful and illegal construction in superseding all laws and violation thereof.
It has also suggested the need to direct a response/show-cause from the concerned authority approving the aforementioned unlawful and illegal construction in superseding all laws and violation thereof.
The GTF also emphasized the need to review the architectural structure and blue print of the aforementioned unlawful and illegal construction and further directing response/Show-cause from the concerned Public Architect/Engineer who had endorsed and approved the same besides issuing photocopies of all records pertaining to the grant of the aforementioned unlawful and illegal construction by the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), Shillong and for which necessary folios shall be duly paid.
Further, the GTF demanded the authorities concerned to take action for the demolition and removal of all kinds of structures erected over Wah Thangsniang specifically at the boundary between Nongrimbah and Nongrim Hills, Shillong.
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