Village dorbars seek more time to decide on allowing garbage from Jowai to be dumped at Mynkjai

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 2, 2021

Seven dorbar shnongs in West Jaintia Hills have sought time to take a call on the government’s request to allow dumping of garbage temporarily at the old landfill site at Mynkjai, about 11 kilometers away from Jowai, the district headquarter.

This was stated by the representatives of the seven villages during a meeting chaired by the Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar at Jowai on Monday. Mynkjai falls under the jurisdiction of the Mupyut dorbar shnong.

Iawmusiang, one of the oldest and biggest markets in the region and located at the heart of Jowai town, is witnessing a peculiar situation of garbage piling up and stench due to the ongoing opposition by the seven villages.

The decision to disallow dumping of garbage at the old landfill had also left residents of Jowai town at the receiving end. Many had to hire private dumping vehicles to clear the garbage from their premises.

“The dorbar shnongs have sought for one or two days to discuss among themselves and take a call on the request of the government to allow dumping of the garbage temporarily at the old site for few months till such time we have developed the permanent landfill site,” NPP legislator from Jowai Wailadmiki Shylla told reporters.   

He said that the request was made in view of the fact that the district administration had failed to get any temporary site for dumping of garbage, which has created a lot of inconveniences to the people.

“I hope that these dorbar hsnongs would understand the problem. The garbage especially at Iawmusiang is not being dumped only by people from Jowai but by everybody who are coming to the market from across the Jaintia Hills region,” he said.

The MLA also reminded that the district headquarter belongs to the people of Jaintia Hills and not only people residing in Jowai.

He informed that the Urban Minister had assured to take up the matter very seriously and resolve it within a few months time.  

The meeting was attended by officials from the district administration, Jowai Municipal Board, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and the traditional heads of the seven villages.

Asked, Shylla said that the JMB had tried to identify locations for temporary landfill but nobody is willing to part with their land for the purpose.

“This is one of the main challenges we are facing while trying to address the garbage issue. We have tried for the past 2-3 months to identify new sites for the landfill but unfortunately due to opposition from people including NGOs, we could not proceed ahead.”

The MLA further informed that the department had identified sites for developing the permanent landfill.

“I am happy to inform that we have identified some suitable sites and a joint inspection has been conducted by the district task force for the purpose of identification of a permanent landfill. However, people cannot expect that this can be done overnight as there are procedures which need to be followed. The process is on,” he said.