SHILLONG, NOV 17: Union minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Prakash Javadekar said a committee will be set up to conduct a study on the forest ownerships in the north eastern region.
He said the objective of the study is to ensure forests and environment are protected and sustainable development is allowed at the same time. “I am setting up a committee which will conduct a study on this aspect. This committee is also directed to submit its report within 3-4 months,” Javedekar said.
He is in Shillong to inaugurate the regional office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests on Tuesday.
Pointing out at the issue of private forests in the north eastern region, Javedekar said, “Here, we have this community forests where land belongs not to individuals but to community – and this we are studying.”
“We will arrive at a conclusion on how to deal with this problem and ensure that people really get what they need -development and protection,” he said.
Stating that the country has only one per cent of world’s forest, he said, “We cannot be liberal to the extent that one can give all lands to everybody and there is no forest land, we cannot say that… we will arrive at a very good solution about this.”
He said the union government will work with the state government and all the north eastern states and will appoint a committee to study the issue of private forests and community forests and what are the ways wherein people will benefit but environment and forest is still protected.
When asked about the forests owned by individuals, he said, “That will also be studies because north east has a peculiar problem and that we will solve and see that forests are protected and sustainable development is allowed.”
Meanwhile, he also informed that the centre is going to review the workings of the Regional Empowered Committees as well as mapping of all forest lands. “We will review the working of regional empowered committees and the decentralization to make it more effective,” he said.
He said the map all forest lands will be mapped plot by plot including contiguous areas. “Unless we ensure minimum support for the minor forest produce, the tribal won’t get justice and some states have started showing interest which should be followed by all states.
He also informed that the ministry would also decide on the working plans of the regional centres with certain modifications and sanction accordingly within the next 15 days.
According to him, the modification, if any, are with the intention of protecting the forests, environment and at the same time ensuring sustainable development and which are people friendly.- By Our Reporter
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