Centre hails tribal institutions of state

NEW DELHI, Aug 10: The Centre on Thursday hailed traditional tribal institutions of Meghalaya like the Dorbars for their proactive role in socio-economic development, particularly in the conservation of environment and raising awareness about sustainable practices. “The traditions maintained by such local bodies is vital for conservation of sacred groves, prevention of over-exploitation of natural resources like forests; managing natural springs and other water sources wisely, discouraging hunting of wild animals through customary laws, are helpful in protecting ecology,” Union DoNER Minister G. Kishan Reddy said in Parliament while replying to a question posed by Rakesh Sinha. Sinha wanted to know if the Government is aware of the positive role of traditional institutions in the hill state. The MP has adopted many villages including the now famous Kongthong and developed them with the help of local communities. The state government has already notified several sacred forests (locally known as sacred groves) as community reserves under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the minister said. Local communities and traditional institutions in Meghalaya are already involved in developmental planning, providing support to village employment councils, identification of beneficiaries of various government programmes, making available community land for construction projects, and management of community reserves for development of tribal regions, the minister added.