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States » EastPosted at: Nov 9 2020 8:21PM


Meghalaya Assembly panel recommends independent inquiry into radiation

Shillong, Nov 9 (UNI) A Meghalaya Assembly Committee on Environment has recommended
the State government to engage an independent agency to conduct a study on the radiation
level in the uranium-rich areas in South West Khasi Hills district.
The panel, which conducted a study tour to Domiasiat, Nongbah-Jynrin and Wahkaji area
on November 3, also recommended that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board
(MSPCB) in collaboration with the Central Pollution Control Board continue monitoring of
the radiation level in the villages adjoining Domiasiat since the MSPCB is yet to issue a
“certificate to establish” although the Atomic Minerals Directorate has stopped all activities
in the area following the government’s revocation of the land lease to Uranium Corporation
of India Limited (UCIL) including suspension of uranium exploration and mining by UCIL,
“The government may engage an independent agency or organization having expertise
at its disposal to conduct a study on the radiation level in the villages surrounding Domiasiat
including uranium content in surface water of all water bodies flowing in the area. People of
the area may need to be taken into confidence while carrying out this exercise,” read the
report which was tabled by the chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Syntar
Klas Sunn in the Assembly on Monday.
Expressing concern on the higher radiation level at the location near the Jimiri River, the
panel said, “As surface water is the main source of drinking water for the villages adjoining
Domiasiat, the uranium content in water bodies have to be monitored on a regular basis”.
“Considering the varying radiation level in and around the area, the committee has also
recommended that a health survey may need to be conducted to ascertain the health
condition of people residing in the area and a report may be submitted to the Assembly
by the health department,” the report read.
The panel also recommended that the abandoned three uranium test mine pits and two
repository tanks be declared as protected/restricted areas to which only authorized
persons may be allowed access.
The committee also recommended the need to open a police outpost at Wahkaji for
securing this sensitive location.
Wahkaji is about 2 hours by vehicle from Mawkyrwat and further, Domiasiat is another
one hour by vehicle and half an hour on foot.
“Considering the distance, the committee recommends immediate posting of police
personnel for securing this sensitive location by opening a police outpost at Wahkaji,”
the report recommended.
Representatives of concerned villages and NGOs during an interaction session with
panel members at Wahkaji village had also expressed concern on the issue of health
hazards arising out of the uranium radiation in the area.
“They expressed that most of them were informed by an environmental activist who
visited the site recently with measuring equipment that there is a high level of uranium
radiation due to crack developed in the repository tanks endangering the people of
the surrounding villages,” the report said.
The Syiem of Hima Langrin informed the gathering that the cracks in the repository
tanks were as old as 4 to 5 years but many people were not aware as the repository
tanks are located in a remote location which people seldom visit.
The report said the villages surrounding Domiasiat are situated on hilly terrain where
the underlying rocks contain high grade uranium oxide deposit with uranium oxide
content in sandstones about 0.088%.
“As such, the background radiation levels in many parts of the areas are comparatively
high,” the House Committee report specified, adding that pictures taken on November 3
by drones, indicate that the repository tanks where cracks may have occurred have been
recently repaired.
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Tags: #Meghalaya Assembly panel recommends independent inquiry into radiation
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