SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Eco-Friendly Student’s Union (MEFSU) has demanded that the existing definition of ‘forest’ should be substituted by the definition as mentioned in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Management and Control of Forests) Act, 1958.
“We have learnt that the Government has redefined the word forest without holding any public consultation. The existing definition of the word forest contradicts with the definition of the apex court,” MEFSU president Rangdajied Marwein told newsmen after meeting Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday.
“The decision of the Meghalaya Government in redefining ‘forest’ is therefore contrary to the judgement of the Supreme Court,” Marwein said.
“From the present definition, it can be observed that any forest which is less than four hectare and which does not have more than 250 trees would not be defined as ‘forest’ and, therefore, will not come under the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act,” the Union observed.
He pointed out that in the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Management & Conservation of forests) Act, 1958, the word ‘forest’ has been defined as “an area where not less than 25 trees per acre, reserved or unreserved, or any other forest produce growing on such area which have been or are capable of being exploited for purpose of business or trade”.
“This is a better and stricter definition of forest as compared to the one adopted by the State Government,” Marwein said.
When asked about the reaction of the Forest and Environment Minister to their demand, he said that the Minister had assured them that the State Government was ready to redefine the word ‘forest’ but had to convene a meeting of both the KHADC and the JHADC before taking a final call.