Shillong, Sep 29: An RTI activist has alleged that a private nursery is operating illegally inside state forest land at Baiza under Simsanggre Range in East Garo Hills.
In a complaint to the Deputy Commissioner, Jackiqus D. Sangma said an RTI reply from the Simsanggre Range Office proves the nursery has no valid records.
Sangma had filed an RTI on September 11 seeking information on allotment of nursery land at Baiza. In its reply on September 23, the Assistant Conservator of Forest, stated that information for all five points sought was “Not available in the records of the Simsanggre Range Office.”
Citing the reply, Sangma said the nursery is running without any allotment order, lease deed, Dag number, survey map, rent payment or permission under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
He said the operation violates the Forest (Conservation) Act, Indian Forest Act and Supreme Court orders on non-forest activity inside forest land.
Sangma has sought a joint spot verification by the DFO and Range Officer, direction to the operator to produce valid documents, and eviction and penal action if found illegal. He has also sought an Action Taken Report within 15 days.
