20 locations given environmental clearance for sand and rock excavation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 20 2019:
Following necessary analysis for any possible environmental impacts, the Directorate of Environment has given environmental clearance to many areas/locations under various District/Forest Divisions for taking up 22 different projects and out of the said 22 projects, 20 are for rock and sand excavation.
According to a reliable source, necessary Pre and Post Environment Impact Assessment are normally carried out by the Department when taking up or planning to take up any projects so as to ascertain any possible environmental impacts.
Such assessments will minutely discuss the positive and negative impacts which may result from the projects and this assessment is a part of every major developmental projects, the source added.
Stressing on the importance of such assessment, the source informed that for Manipur, State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) Manipur and State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) Manipur have been formed as per the instruction of the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
The source continued that for the current financial year, 2018-19, a total of 65 projects are seeking environmental clearance and out of the said projects, 22 projects (including 20 sand and stone quarry projects) have already received necessary environmental clearance.
The said 20 stone and sand quarry include sand and stone quarry at Kanto, Potshangbam, Awang Sekmai, Leikinthabi, Hathikhola and Changamdabi under Central Forest Division (Mantripukhri), stone and rock quarry at Heirok Chingjin, Inganglok, Ingourok, Chandrakhong, and Heitroipokpi under Thoubal Forest Division, stone and sand quarry at Barak river, Apah river, Ijei river and Irang river under Western Forest Division, Sapormeina stone and sand quarry under Kangpokpi Forest Division, Kalinagar, Jiri river stone and sand quarry as well as Nungka, Nungkao Nalah and Nungdolan stone quarry under Jiribam Forest Division.
On the other hand, the remaining two projects which were given environmental clearance include Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road construction and improvement and upgrading of Tupul-Kashom Khullen State Highway (MN -06) under North Eastern State Road Investment Programme.