By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Members of the KHADC have expressed their apprehensions about the proposal to have a joint forest management venture with the State Government. Their fear is that Government might take over the subject of Forests from the Council.
While participating in the debate on this issue during the final day of the budget session, Mairang Congress MDC Rasor Rani said that there are strongly possibilities that the State Government intends to take over the subject of Forests from the Council on the pretext of joint management of the forest areas.
Nongthymmai UDP MDC Latiplang Kharkongor said that the Executive Committee (EC) should closely follow up this matter with the State Government.
“We should not allow the Government to take over ‘Forest’ in the same manner that it took away the responsibility of running primary schools from the Council,” Kharkongor said while adding that this is a possibly a conspiracy to put an end to the existence of the Autonomous District Councils.
While expressing concern at this development, Mawkyrwat HSPDP MDC Enbin K Raswai said that the EC should not allow the subject of ‘Forests’ to be taken away from the Council.
He said this decision to jointly prepare the working plan and working scheme of the forest areas with the State Government might be a possible step towards snatching away the subject of ‘Forests’ from the Council.
In reply, Executive Member in charge, Forest department JM Tynsong informed that a delegation led by KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyngshngain N Syiem had met Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong following apprehensions that the Government might take over the subject of ‘Forests’ from the Council.
During the meeting, the Forest and Environment Minister had clarified that there was no such plan on the part of the Government.
“We were assured by the Minister that the main reason in having this joint forest management is to protect the forest areas better,” Tynsong said.
In connection with the alleged illegal felling of trees in the forests of the Council, EM in charge Forest department said that they have constituted an inquiry into this matter and the report is awaited.
Tynsong however admitted that despite this inquiry, there are strong possibilities that illegal felling of trees is still going on.
Meanwhile, majority of MDCs feel that mere setting up of an inquiry is no solution.
They suggested that the EC should find ways and means to stop the illegal felling of trees.
