BJP expresses concern over Byrnihat being ranked as world’s most polluted place

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 12, 2025

The state BJP has expressed concern over the recent World Air Quality report by Swiss Air Technology firm IQAir which has ranked Byrnihat as the world’s most polluted place. 

This inglorious distinction has come as a rude shock to every environmentally conscious citizen of Meghalaya, a state that has always taken pride of place in the nation for its clean and pristine surroundings. 

In a statement, BJP chief spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang stated, “This is a direct result of weak enforcement and lack of policies that need strong political will to implement. Haphazard development, ineffective policies, ungoverned economic activities and short-sighted plans have brought this grave disrepute to our wonderful state. We call upon the Govt to take immediate remedial measures, create proper plans formulated by experts and implement them with utmost strictness to address this issue, so future generations do not face serious health issues.” 

Adding further, Kharkrang stated, “The Govt. must realise that unplanned development models that only look at economic benefits make a bad situation even worse. There is a plan to turn the Soil Conservation Training Institute at Byrnihat into an industrial complex. This is an absolute disaster in the making. Not only will this make the pollution situation in Byrnihat even worse, it adversely impacts an elephant migration path, leading to potential disruption of an already fragile ecology and certain man animal conflicts with serious consequences. While economic activity is a must, a Govt. be ultra-careful keep all factors in mind while choosing a spot for any activity. Impulsive decision making only creates serious problems; at every point. We would urge the Govt. to take this report seriously and choose an alternate spot for an industrial complex, after thorough study and meticulous planning.”