Shillong, March 20: The East Khasi Hills district administration has imposed prohibitory measures against the indiscriminate dumping of soil and construction debris across the district.
The order, issued by the District Magistrate under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), comes in response to rising concerns over large-scale construction activities that have led to the unchecked extraction and disposal of earth, stones, and boulders.
Authorities noted that such debris is frequently dumped along roadsides, near catchment areas, and water bodies without prior approval or designated dumping sites, posing a serious threat to the region’s fragile ecosystem.
With the onset of the monsoon season, officials warned that heavy rains are likely to wash this debris into rivers and drinking water sources, exacerbating pollution levels and rendering water unsafe for consumption.
The administration highlighted that this practice has already begun affecting rivers, rivulets, and other water bodies in the district, raising concerns over public health and aquatic life.
The order explicitly prohibits unauthorised construction activities involving excavation or the sourcing of soil without proper mitigation measures and prior permission from authorities. It also mandates strict adherence to the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, and environmental safeguards issued by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board. Activities such as indiscriminate earth extraction for infrastructure projects and dredging or de-silting operations without compliance have also been brought under scrutiny.
Additionally, the administration has barred any construction activity that does not identify approved dumping sites for soil and debris, signalling a tighter regulatory framework for ongoing and future projects.
Citing urgency and larger public interest, the order has come into immediate effect across East Khasi Hills and will remain in force until further notice.
Officials stressed that continued violations could lead to severe environmental consequences, including drinking water scarcity and long-term ecological damage.
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