The Meghalaya Forest Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2021 was introduced on the opening day of the autumn session of the Meghalaya Assembly today by Forest and Environment Minister James PK Sangma.
Existing legislation is not tough enough to deal with the organised mafia-like groups that break the law according to the Meghalaya Forest Regulation 1973, which is itself an adaptation of the Assam Forest Regulation of 1891.
According to the statement of object and reasons of the amendment bill, in the recent past incidences of forest offences have increased considerably.
“Forest offences are now committed by organised groups with money and muscle power. The provisions of the Meghalaya Forest Regulation 1973 … in the present form are not adequate to put an effective check on the activities of such offenders,” it states.
The amendment looks to equip Forest Department officers with more powers to deal with such offenders and to provide for stringent punishments for such offences. It will also make it obligatory for state police to assist forest personnel when requested to detect and prevent the commission of forest-related crimes.
The bill also lays down procedures to be followed for the confiscation of tools, weapons and vehicles used in the commission of crimes in forests.
The Supreme Court, in a judgment in 1998, has invited the attention of the Forest Departments of the North East states for insertion of this provision in their respective legislation, as has been done in other states, including Assam.
Similarly, legal provisions need to be inserted to enable forest officers of Meghalaya to effectively investigate and prosecute forest offences at par with other states as has been directed in the judgment.
