By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In order to have a better say in the protection of catchment areas, the State Government is in the process of amending the present Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Areas Act, 1990.
Indicating this here on Monday, Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong said the proposed amendments would be placed before the Cabinet at the earliest.
“I have directed Additional Chief Secretary PBO Warjri to speed up the process,” Tynsong said adding that his department has sought views from the Law department on the proposed amendment.
“As soon as we receive the views from the Law department, I will table the proposed amendments before the Cabinet,” Tynsong said.
Forest and Environment Minister said, “We are amending the Act with a basic objective of having a better say in the protection of catchment areas, which is witnessing a rapid depletion of late.”
With this proposed amendments, the Government would have a better say in the protection of catchment areas including those owned by private parties, he said adding “the Government at present has little control over these areas”.
According to Tynsong, one of the clauses in the existing Act says the Government can exercise control over these catchment areas subject to agreement with land owners.
“We intend to remove this particular clause from the Act,” the Forest and Environment Minister said. Tynsong also informed that the Government intends to insert a new clause in the Act to delegate more powers to the concerned officers of the Forest and Environment Department for protection of the catchment areas .
