Working President of the state Congress, Ampareen Lyngdoh, has demanded that the central and state governments share whatever feasibility studies they have that show that Meghalaya is suitable for palm oil cultivation.
In August the central government had approved a national mission to expand palm oil production, with the North East, including Meghalaya, one of the focus areas. Environmentalists termed the government’s announcement as not just an ecological disaster for the fragile biodiversity in those areas but also a social disorder.
“What are the reports of feasibility studies that say that this is a green field for palm oil cultivation?” she told Highland Post. “We will discuss this issue in the Assembly, including about the company which was assigned this job and the swiftness of the government of India to tell everyone to adopt palm cultivation,” the East Shillong MLA said.
According to her, Meghalaya had asked for central support in previous years to promote cultivation of other crops but these were always turned down.
“Why are you (government) investing blindly without talking to the public?” she said, adding that the Centre cannot simply impose palm oil plantations on Meghalaya unless the farmers want it and environmental protections are met.
She also reminded the government of India that most land in Meghalaya does not belong to the government.
