An NGO, the Integrated People for Tourism and Conservation (IPTAC), an eco tourism and conservation group is spearheading such campaigns. The IPTAC in its bid to efficiently and effectively spread awareness to the people of Garo Hills regarding the ill effects of unscientific coal mining yesterday organised a awareness drive at Gambaregre around 30 kilometers from Tura.
Incidentally this is their fourth such undertaking and have previously organised such programmes at villages in West Garo Hills, especially in the coal belt areas of Balupara, Sadolpara etc. The aim and objective of their programmes, it is informed is to make aware the people of Garo Hills the immediate danger of unscientific coal mining to the environment and gradually but eventually the people confined within these areas.
Their basic method of generating awareness is by showing relevant films and trying to interpret it to the villagers.
Yesterday they showed a documentary film on the Jharia incident in Jharkhand where the whole township was and is still being consumed by underground coal fire which has been raging for around hundred plus years.
At the end of the film another film showcasing diversity of ecology in cave systems and other inaccessible locations was shown much to the pleasure and amazement of the local villagers.
It may be mentioned that IPTAC and other Eco-Conservation groups have launched an extensive drive to create awareness regarding unscientific coal mining in Garo Hills keeping in mind the spurt of illegal coal mining activities in Garo Hills.