SHILLONG, APR 18: Even as state ngos decided to file a public litigation interest (PIL) against the state government for hurriedly passing the Meghalaya Forest Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2012, the Congress led MUA II coalition government got the bill passed rejecting the cut motion on the issue by an opposition legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit on Thursday in the Meghalaya assembly.
Basaiwamoit argued that the bill was passed without taking the views and opinions of the stakeholders.
Replying to the accusation of the “gross-violation” of the Forest and Conservation Act, 1980 by cement companies in Jaintia hills, Meghalaya forest minister Prestone Tynsong informed the assembly that the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) will take a call on the compensation that these cement companies have to pay as per the ac.
Tynsong assured the house that action is already in motion as per provision provided by the FC Act which would be sent to the MoEF for facilitating action by them against the cement companies.
Debating on the need to define what is a forest land, Tynsong said that Meghalaya is covered by more than 77 per cent of forest areas but unfortunately not even 5 per cent is being control by the state government. He informed, “The decision to bring a new clause on the definition of forest in the Meghalaya Forest Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2012 is to ensure that there is no longer confusion on the matter,” adding.
Tynsong said that the reason as to why the government arrived at a decision to declare 4 hectare t as forest is that it will no longer require to get environmental clearance from the union forest and environment ministry but will only need forest clearance for which officials will need to go for spot inspection and to verify before giving permission to set up industries.
Tyngson also said that there is one paragraph in the order of the Supreme Court relating to Lafarge Umiam Ltd which suggest that the state needs to have proper definition on forest since Meghalaya does not have one. “ He said, “We did consult the stakeholders and even met the three autonomous district councils on the matter.”
Lastly Tynsong assured that by having a definition in place it will help the government to check and clear the doubt in this regards.- By Our Reporter
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