SHILLONG, JUNE 15: KHADC will soon table the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Management and Control of Forest) (VIth Amendment) Bill, 2016 and United Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Management and Control of Forest) (Amendment) Rules, 2016, seeking to preserve and protect the environment.
The bill will be table in the upcoming session slated from June 20.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting of the executive committee (EC), KHADC chief PN Syiem said, “Under the proposed amended act, the traditional institutions are directed to ensure there will be no felling of trees and no structures constructed within 1 km radius from the catchment areas and 20 meters from stretch along river banks.”
As per the amendment, construction of buildings for public purposed will be exempted.
Stating that the bill will be prospective in its effect, he informed that the process of identifying the catchment areas to ensure that the water sources are protected is on.
However, the Wahumkhrah river located at the heart of the city has been a subject of debate considering the river has turned into an open dirty drain besides encroachment that have taken place along its banks.
When asked, Syiem said, “Action will be taken once the bill becomes a law after receiving the assent of the governor.”
He said that the district council will also hold a meeting with all the traditional institutions – Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima for their support and cooperation.
“It will be the duty and responsibility of the traditional headmen to ensure the environment is protected as per the condition of the sanat (appointment) issued by the Syiem,” Syiem said.
He said it is time to ensure that the environment is preserved and protected especially because of the climate change and global warming which is also affecting Shillong, a place once popular for its climatic condition.
Syiem also announced that the traditional institutions will also have to declare at least one reserve forest under their respective jurisdiction.
“We all are aware that traditional custom and environment are closely related,” he said while referring to the many community forests that were preserved traditionally by the indigenous people for decades.
He said the reserve forest will include sacred grove, community forest and others as this will help preserve the environment.-By Our Reporter
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