AIZAWL: The Mizoram assembly on Tuesday adopted an official resolution opposing the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 passed recently by the Parliament.
“This house unanimously resolves to oppose the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 in order to protect the rights and interest of the people of Mizoram,” the resolution stated.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
State Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister TJ Lalnuntluanga, who moved the resolution, said that the state government has been opposing the forest amendment bill since the very start when it heard about the proposed amendment bill.
He said that they had written to the Centre on 21 October 2021 informing about the state government’s opposition to the proposed forest amendment act.
Also Read: Assam: Four killed in motorcycle accident in Lakhimpur
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The state forest department had also written to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) over the proposed legislation on June 6, he said.
Despite receiving an overwhelming 1,309 protest letters and communications, the JPC proceeded with the bill’s approval and it was later passed by both houses of the parliament- the Lok Sabha on July 26 and Rajya Sabha on August 2, the minister said.
“Even though we have taken an exhaustive effort to protect our forest from destruction and to safeguard the rights of people of the state, by conveying our concern about the proposed Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act through numerous correspondences to the Centre, it has yielded no result. Therefore, we present this resolution today,” Lalnuntluanga said.
Also Read: Assam: FICN racket busted, three arrested with fake currency worth over Rs 14 lakh
Underlining the vulnerability of Mizoram, the minister said that the state forest cover could face obliteration if section 2, sub-section (i) of the amendment act was to be implemented in the state.
After prolonged discussion, involving several MLAs from both the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and oppositions, all the members, except BJP representative BD Chakma, voted in support of the resolution.