SHILLONG, JULY 23: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) said it is committed to preserving the over 1700 acres ‘Law Adong’ forest and, therefore, has decided against scrapping off the agreement with the Hima Mylliem entered last year after which ‘Law Adong’, was declared a reserved forest.
The KHADC also directed the Hima Mylliem not to take any decision on the agreement without its consent.
The decision came after the Hima Mylliem Deputy Syiem, Thwelson Manik Syiem send a letter to KHADC on July 14, urging the latter to scrap the agreement.
The agreement to preserve the Mawpat forest was signed between the KHADC and the Hima Mylliem on May 22, 2014. Later, both the parties also declared the Mawpat forest as ‘Law Adong’ or ‘Reserve Forest’ on June 5, 2014, which coincides with the World Environment Day celebrations in the state.
“The executive committee has replied to the letter of the Hima Mylliem by making its stand clear that it will not in any way withdraw or scrap the agreement,” KHADC chief PN Syiem told newsmen here on Thursday.
He said, “Any attempt to change the agreement will not be accepted but the provisions in the agreement will continue to be effective in the interest of the people and the land.”
According to him, one of the clauses in the agreement has clearly stated that, both the KHADC and the Hima Mylliem shall jointly be responsible for regulation, management, maintenance and conservation of the ‘Law Adong’.
“In view of this, we have also directed the Hima Mylliem to respect the agreement by refrain from taking any decision related to the Law Adong without the consent of the district council,” Syiem said.
Meanwhile, the Executive Member in-charge Forest Grace Mary Kharpuri has also questioned the motive behind the decision of the Hima Mylliem to scrap the agreement and instead retain the forest as ‘Law Syiem’.
“As per the letter of the Deputy Syiem of Hima Mylliem, he had also cited that the reason behind the demand to scrap of the agreement was that they wanted to preserve the forest,” Kharpuri said while adding “Then what is motive behind this move, when the goal of both sides is to preserve the forest.”
She further informed that the district council has already sanction fund of Rs 16 lakhs for construction of the proposed forest quarter at Lum Mawpat, the aim of which is to ensure that the forest is protected.
They have also questioned the reason behind the letter by the deputy Syiem despite the agreement signed by the Syiem of Hima Mylliem.- By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours