From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: A Government of India order to declare certain areas in the State as elephant reserve area has irked the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) which termed it as the violation of the traditional rights of the people.
Commenting on the order issued on July 11 through the Department of Forest and Environment, the HANM recently said that land in Meghalaya had primarily belonged to the people and the government’s intention to evict the residents for the creation of an elephant reserve area is against the rights of the people.
According to the HANM, the areas which would fall under this order are Nongshram, Riangshiang, Nongrathaw, Nongmise, Athiabari, Wahphodra, Nongmalang, Nongummer, Nongumiang, Maweit, Maheskhola, Nonghyllam, among others.
“The area allotted is vast with many people residing and practicing different trades here. If they are evicted, the people would be homeless and lose everything that they own,” the HANM lamented.
Meanwhile, land owners from Shalang in West Khasi Hills have protested against the project alleging that the wildlife department had proposed the project without taking them into confidence. It may be mentioned that land acquisition has never been easy in the state given the land tenure system followed here.
Over hundred land owners from the area under the banner “Land Owners of 18 Plots” led by Elius Ryntathiang approached the Office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Department on Friday to press their opposition and seek clarification from the department on the permission given to carry out the project without an agreement.
“A huge bulk of our lands will go into the reserve and ironically, we came to know of it only through newspaper reports”, said O Wahlang, a land owner. Stating that the local people earn their livelihood from these lands, Wahlang said that the government’s move would deprive the people of the right to earn their livelihood.
The land owners though were unable to meet the Divisional Officer, Wildlife Department as he was out of station.
Forest Minister Prestone Tynsong refused to comment on the issue stating that he would shed light on the matter on Monday. The Government of India has decided to reserve the land in the state for protection and conservation of the elephant’s habitat in order to arrest the steep decline in the number of elephants.
The Lyngam Indigenous Federation has also objected to the Government’s move of establishing elephant reserve sanctuary at WEST Khasi Hills.