Meghalaya Bans Roadside Cooking and Open Fires Near Sohra

Shillong: The Meghalaya government officially banned cooking and open fires along the Shillong-Sohra-Shella Road. This move targets public safety. Sohra Sub-Divisional Magistrate Miri Mark A. Chyne issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Tourists frequently used LPG cylinders, kerosene stoves, and firewood at parking areas and viewpoints. These habits created significant hazards.

The administration highlighted the environmental impact of these actions. Trash piles up. Food waste, plastic, bottles, and packaging litter the area. Officials warned that these practices attract stray animals and block traffic. Fires pose an even greater danger. The order states these activities "pose a serious risk of accidental fires and wildfires, endangering forests, public property and human lives."

The ban covers all public spaces throughout the Sohra Civil Sub-Division. You cannot cook at roadsides, lay-bys, or parking spots. The government provided a narrow exception for authorized picnic sites managed by the Dorbar Shnong or relevant authorities. These locations must maintain fire safety and waste disposal standards.

Police, executive magistrates, and staff from the Forest, Tourism, and Public Works Departments will enforce the rules. Authorities will charge violators under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the BNSS, and environmental statutes. The mandate started immediately and stays in place until further notice.