SHILLONG, FEB 10: Saying that it is not satisfied with the definition of “forest” in the Meghalaya Forest Amendment Act 2012, the Meghalaya Eco-Friendly Students’ Union (MEFSU) has demanded that the Meghalaya government re-define the word ‘forest’ by bringing an amendment in the said.
MEFSU delegation met Meghalaya Forest and Environment minister Prestone Tynsong and handed him a memorandum with the demand on Tuesday.
MEFSU Rangdajied Marwein told reporters after the meeting, “We are not satisfied with the current definition of the word ‘forest’ as defined by the Meghalaya Forest Amendment Act 2012.”
Marwein said the definition of forest in the Meghalaya Forest Amendment Act 2012 contradicts the judgment of the Supreme Court in the TN Godavarman Vs Union of India (WP 202 of 1995) which clearly stated that the word ‘forest’ should be understood as per dictionary meaning irrespective of ownership (as the Forest Conservation Act shall apply).
Marwein felt that the “the definition of forest in Meghalaya Forest Act’ seems to be revenue oriented rather than protecting the welfare of the environment and demanded immediate amendment to the MFAA, 2012. He said going by the current definition of the word ‘forest’ then there is no more forest land in the state especially in Shillong.
Marwein felt the definition of “forest” in the state forest act would make project proponents easy to apply for a no objection certificate, because it defines forest ‘an area would be considered a forest if it is a compact or continuous tract of minimum four hectares of land, irrespective of ownership, where more than 250 naturally growing trees or more than 100 naturally growing bamboo clumps per hectares are present.”
Marwein said the MEFSU is of the opinion that fixing 4 hectares area as base level of calculation is a ploy to exploit the 5 hectare limitation, beyond which central clearance is mandatory under FC Act, 1980.
MEFSU also brought to the notice of the minister that there are very few forest areas in Meghalaya today with such density of growing stock, particularly in a compact, contiguous block of 4 hectares.
Marwein argued, “Hence, this definition shall give legitimacy to freely destroy almost all available land of forest cover and divert to non forest activities as the intention is clearly to obtain ‘absolute freedom’ over forest areas once such area come out of the purview of the FC Act, 1980.
MEFSU is also of the opinion that with handful of land sharks acquiring both agricultural and forest land all over the state for industrial/commercial purposes, time is not far when the majority of the indigenous population will lose even their small individual and clan land hold holdings and be reduced to landless entities in their own homeland.
Marwein informed that during its meetings with the KHADC and JHADC, both the councils have expressed similar views that the current definition would only lead to future destruction of the forest land.
Marwein said the minister promised that he would soon convene a meeting with the JHADC and KHADC seeking their views and recommendations on the issue. According to him the minister stated that the amendment that was made in the Meghalaya Forest Amendment Act, 2012 by the state government was done after due consultation with the two autonomous district councils (ADCs).- By Our Reporter
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