Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today justified that the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 passed by the Parliament, will strengthen the powers of the local bodies and the state governments.
Replying to a resolution moved by VPP member, Adelbert Nongrum calling the house to oppose the act, Sangma said the amendment has only given a better definition to what forest is.
“In Meghalaya the definition of forest and the Forest Act 1927 was never invoked. In Meghalaya forests has been defined by the act of the state government, and hence this Act actually gives us full power to do that,” the Chief Minister said.
He said as per the new definition, forest is one which is notified under Indian Forest Act or defined by any other law.
Nongrum is concerned that the new forest law allows for diversion for construction of roads, railway lines or strategic linear projects of national importance and concerning national security within 100 Km of India’s international borders – without the need for forest clearance.
However, Sangma said, “These are for specifically the government of India’s forest clearances. But it doesn’t mean that we can, we don’t need the clearance of the district council, and it does not mean that other clearances from other departments are not required.”
“The forest clearance which earlier was required will no longer be required, which means it is making it easier for the state government to implement different projects,” he added, stating that the government spent a large time communicating with the centre to get forest clearance on the Shillong, Dawki road project.
“If at all we are sincere in opposing uranium mining, then it is all the more reason to ensure that this resolves to oppose the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act in order to protect the rights of the indigenous people of Meghalaya over land and resources,” Nongrum told the House.
“If at all we are to protect and preserve our customary held forests – Ki Khlaw Ri-Kynti, Ki Khlaw Shnong, Ki Khlaw Raij, Ki Law Syiem, Ki Law Adong and Ki Law Kyntang, I believe that as legislators we are raise a voice against the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act,” he urged.
With 88.2 per cent of the recorded forest areas falls under unclassed forest in Meghalaya, the VPP legislator feared that these large areas of unclassed forest would be excluded from statutory protection under the newly amended act unless they are included in government records.
However, the resolution was rejected by a voice vote after Nongrum refused to withdraw it.
