Officers of ADCs to discuss forest amendment act

SHILLONG: The Chief Forest Officers of three the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills will meet to discuss on the amendment to be made in the Indian Forest Act.
Executive member in charge of Forest, Victor Ranee said the executive committee of the KHADC will meet on September 10 to take necessary decisions with regard to the suggestions to be given to the central government.
He informed that the three ADCs will prepare a memorandum to exclude Meghalaya from the Forest Conservation Act 1980 as some are scheduled areas.
The ADCs already have the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Management and Control Forest) Act 1958 and Garo Hills District (Forest) Act.
The Draft Amendment Committee of the KHADC is making an in-depth study of the existing act and the proposed amendment of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
The committee will sit for meetings and come up with suggestions to ensure that proposed amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927 should not come in conflict with the land tenure system of the indigenous communities.