SHILLONG, MAY 8:Â With a view to collectively address key issues relating to sustainable Management of Community Forest and Natural Resources in the region, the Deputy Commissioner convened a meeting with Block Development Officers of the district, GHADC, line departments comprising of Forest and Wildlife, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fishery, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, PHE, Water Resources, Soil and Water Conservation, etc including Community and Livelihood Development Agencies, Skill Development and Training Centres and Nokmas of the region. The meeting was held at DRDA Conference Hall, Tura which was chaired by West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh yesterday evening.
It may be mentioned that Biodiversity Conservation, Livelihood improvement through aggregation of available resources, Community led management of Catchment area and rejuvenation of Springs, rivers, streams, convergence with MBDA on INRM activities were the key issues discussed during the meeting.
In view of the drying up of various streams and rivers in the region with problems of water shortage in many villages, the Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh said that it is stark reality while the state is receiving heaviest rainfall than other places in the region. He said that this is due to the encroachment of water sources for jhum cultivation and replacing the forest with commercial plantations for their livelihood. Therefore, he urged all concerned departments to plan categorically and try to provide better and sustainable livelihood opportunities so that jhuming can be reduced in the area.
In a power point presentation, the Secretary, GHADC, Tura Rikse R Marak highlighted the brief overview of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council which looks after 1341 registered A∙king land and out of 2882 villages about 2538 registered villages practise jhum cultivation in the region, she said. She also informed that about 616 villages practise jhum cultivation in West Garo Hills District.
Mentioning that for the purpose of regulating jhum in Garo Hills, the GHADC has passed the Garo Hills district Jhum Regulation, 1954 which provides selection and allotment of land for jhum and prohibition of jhum in certain areas including the radius of 400 metres of any water source or catchment area, any village or community forest constituted as such under section 17 of the Garo Hills (Forest) Act 1958. Further, in order to enforced the provisions of the Jhuming laws, she said that IEC activities have to be taken up to enlighten and empower the Nokmas and communities and proper land use policy also need to formulated along with proper land use plan.
The President Nokma Council, Skylance G Momin also spoke about the preservation of catchment areas and biodiversity in the region and informed that few areas under their A∙king land have imposed few restrictions and violators are being penalised as per the act. He also urged all the respective Nokmas to exercise their power and functions properly so as to maintain and safeguard the A∙king land for our future generations.
During the meeting, Divisional Forest Officer, Sachin Gavade informed about the massive felling of trees and presence of illegal sawmills in the area and added that so far 34 illegal sawmills has been seized. He also suggested the GHADC to notify few Reserved Forest in the region so that it will be easier to control unauthorized felling of trees in these protected areas.
Block Development Officer, Rongram C & RD Block, S Momin, Consultant MBDA, Tura Daniel Ingty, Nokmas of Rengsangre, Selbalgre and Nokrek range were among others who spoke on the occasion.
By Our Reporter
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