Nagaland: ‘Sustainability should be at forefront of mineral exploration’

August 26, 2023 15 Views No Comment

43rd State Geological Programming Board

Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 26

The Department of Geology and Mining (DGM) holds great significance to the progress of the state, stated the Department’s Principal Secretary, I Himato Zhimomi. Zhimomi made the statement while delivering the keynote address at the 43rd State Geological Programming Board (SGPB) meeting held at the DGM Directorate in Dimapur on August 25.

As scientists and technical experts, he said that the personnel of the department hold the keys to innovation in the state’s endeavour to judiciously exploit the mineral resources.

According to him, exploiting natural resources poses a dilemma. “On one hand, we have tremendous pressure to exploit our natural resources and on the other, there is the question of ‘what do we leave for our children. Do we leave a barren land?’”

The answer, he maintained lies in the prudent utilisation of the resources.

While terming the DGM’s resource mapping as a critical endeavour, he said that the knowledge that comes with mapping would ultimately enable harnessing. He emphasised that sustainability should be at the forefront, with every decision taken calibrated towards ensuring the preservation of resources for generations to come.

He also reminded of the environmental impact of extractive activities. In fulfilling its designated role, he said that the Department must exercise utmost care by adopting ecological safeguards.

At present, he noted that the cost-benefit ratio of extractive activities was not looking beneficial. On that note, he called for devising effective regulatory framework.

Director, Khikiya Rengma termed the annual meeting as a platform to discuss ideas. As a Department mandated to carry out mineral exploration with the objective of developing mineral resources, he expressed hope that under the guidance of the new Principal Director, it would seek to achieve the mineral exploration target of the state.

The DGM has proposed a series of mineral exploratory activities for the 2024-25 season, among which include reconnaissance survey for rare earth elements, coal and limestone and landslide investigation.