‘Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act not a threat to Nagas’: Nagaland CM

August 10, 2023 42 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | August 10

Against the backdrop of the concerns raised over the passing of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act (FCAA) 2023, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today opined that it was a “not a threat to Nagas”

Speaking to media personnel on the sideline of programme in Kohima, he justified the position by pointing out that hardly 5% of the forest belongs to the government in the State of Nagaland, while the rest 95% belongs to the individuals or communities.
“So, we feel it is not a threat and I hope we will further study,” Rio added.

Further queried on the recent appeal of the Naga People’s Front for a special session to discuss on this, he replied: “Anybody can raise the issue and can be discussed.”

The Chief Minister’s view seems to be a departure from what the Government of Nagaland submitted to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) of the then Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023 where it expressed concern over the 100 kilometre exemption near international borders, citing “Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspots,” among others.

It further pointed out that most forest areas in the State are not recorded as forests and called for a specific insertion keeping the private (naturally grown) forest areas out of the purview of the Act.