By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Majority of the MDCs have expressed serious concern over the rapid depletion of the forest cover in the Council forest area even as suggesting on the need to encourage plantation of trees with the support of the traditional institutions like Hima, Raid and Dorbar Shnong.
While moving a motion on the issue of rapid depletion of forest cover, Laitkroh MDC Carmel Sohtun said that it is really painful to see the less number of trees in majority of the forest under the Council.
“This rapid depletion of forest has brought down the ground water table drastically. I have also personally seen that many of the natural springs have also dried up in many parts of Khasi Hills due as a result of less forest cover,” Sohtun said.
While pointing out that if the Council failed to address this issue by encouraging plantation of trees, he said that this would have a serious ramification in the years to come especially people would be facing the problem of scarcity of water.
Meanwhile, Mawthengkut UDP MDC FK Ryntathiang said that the effect of rapid depletion of forest has led to the problem of climate change and this phenomenon is prevailing across the globe. “We have experienced the coldest weather this year. We expect to have the warmest weather this year,” Ryntathiang said.
Expressing concern over the failure of the Council to address the issue of rampant felling of trees in the Council forest, he said that the Council needs to take immediate steps to protect its forest areas from further onslaught.
Langrin Congress MDC Manstudy Nongrum urged upon the Executive Committee to take immediate steps to encourage plantation of trees in the forest areas under the jurisdiction of the Council.
While referring to the Nongshyllong forest reserve of the Council, he said that it is really surprise that the Council is still unaware about the boundaries of this forest reserve.
He also express concerned over the rapid depletion of forest cover in major forest reserve of the Council like Athiabari, Aradonga and Lai Lad. In reply, KHADC CEM Pynshngain N Syiem said that the Executive Committee is also serious concerned over the rapid depletion of forest cover in majority of the forest reserve of the Council.
“We have taken steps to work in close coordination with the Hima, Raid and Dorbar Shnong to encourage plantation of trees in all the forest areas within the jurisdiction of the Council,” he said. Meanwhile, he also informed that Rs 1 crore has been earmarked to create a nursery of unique medicinal plants which are found in Khasi Hills.