THE VOICE

Festivals come and go. We have big promises to keep and a pledge to make with every dawn of the new year that we would do something different for ourselves. Surprisingly in a very selfish way we have forgotten important issues that concern our very existence. One issue that should concern each and every citizen of Shillong is the ecological degradation of the city.

Shillong(formerly known as LABAN) was compared to Scotland by the erstwhile British tourists and administrators. The comparison thus given to this beautiful hill station was quite befitting as the city has been richly blessed with its natural beauty and awesome climate. The stories from our parents and elders have it that before independence Shillong was really a beautiful town specially created by God. Its topography and beautiful landscape and the wonderful climatic conditions it enjoys all make it the best hill station ever. All around this beautiful town there were verdant forests of pine trees and rhododendrons and other indigenous trees. The roads were clean and orderly. Flowers were grown in and around public residences and parks. The whole atmosphere was bathed in fragrance. But soon after independence there was a sudden influx of refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and the Government of Assam had to establish a refugee colony in the outskirts of Shillong. There was a sudden spurt in population. Lands hitherto covered with beautiful plants, trees and other vegetation were converted into housing colonies like Lachumere, Pinemount School area, Kench’s Trace and the beautiful Polo ground areas.

Even those which were termed as "Green Blocks" have turned into housing colonies. All these contribute to the degradation of the erstwhile beautiful environment of Shillong.

Meghalaya was declared a full fledged state in 1972. The small township of Shillong has experienced dramatic demographic changes since then. Establishments of various departments of the central government here has resulted in further increase of population on account of migration of rural folks to the city in search of jobs and better prospects. They have a right to pursue various trades and other business enterprises but the influx has further degraded the ecological status of Shillong.

Today Shillong stands at a critical juncture where the very idea of it being compared to Scotland is in jeopardy. This beautiful city is on the verge of losing its place of pride and uniqueness. Shillong is already over-populated but the city has not expanded. Its citizens too lack civic sense. The new township has remained stagnant Urban towns Unless its citizens wake up and do something Shillong will become a messy and dirty urban jungle.


By Subash Deb