GHADC defends tree felling decision

SHILLONG: The secretary of the GHADC has said the number of employees in the district council is more that the other two councils as it has many departments.
In a statement, New Tura Development Forum said to a questions, the secretary said, “There are more departments in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council than in Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.”
The forum wanted to know why there are more than 2,400 employees as compared to the total of less than 800 employees in KHADC in spite of the fact that the KHADC is larger in area coverage, more in population and possessing more resources.
The forum members met the secretary last week to also enquire about the council’s decision to cut down trees to earn revenue.
“… the Secretary replied that the Executive Committee has already taken decision to go ahead with auction sale of matured trees. The members of NTDF then resented mentioning that not only matured trees will be felled once the trees are auctioned for felling, but the particular forests from where the trees are auctioned for sale, will be scavenged by unscrupulous contractors and the areas will be left with no vegetations,” the statement read.
The members opposed the move and warned against felling of trees. The forum also complained about the “attitude” of the secretary towards the delegation and said it “did not expect to experience such treatment”.