RESOLUTION PASSED ON FOREST AMENDMENT ACT,BY NLA

THIRD DAY OF THE SESSION

Session Day Third; RESOLUTION ON FOREST (CONSERVATION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2023 PASSED BY NLA

On the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 was approved by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. On the third day of the session, C. L. John, the minister for the environment, forests, and climate change, moved the eleven-point resolution on the House floor.

According to the resolution, The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, which was passed by the Indian Parliament, primarily addresses land and its resources (forests). It was stated that the Constitution’s Article 371(A) contains provisions for the ownership and transfer of land and its resources. The new Section 1(A)(2) of the amended Act exempts forest lands that are within 100 kilometers of international borders, the Line of Control, or the Actual Line of Control, depending on the situation, from the application of the principal Act and is intended to be used for strategically important linear projects involving national security. However, the majority of Nagaland, whose indigenous tribes hold title to the majority of the forest areas, would be included in the above-mentioned exempted area of 100 kilometers from international boundaries..

The resolution stated that a consultative meeting with a variety of stakeholders on the challenge of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 etc. used to be held on 1st September, 2023 where the representatives of the a number Naga Tribal Hohos/ Organisations expressed their strong objection to the utility of Section 1(A)(2) of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 in Nagaland, on the floor that it was probably to infringe on normal possession and utilization of woodland lands and its assets in the State of Nagaland. It cited that the House is of the view that the time period ‘land and its resources’ referred to in Article 371(A) encompass forest lands and its sources and that the software of Section 1(A)(2) of the amended Act to Nagaland would jeopardise the existing rights of tribal communities on their wooded area lands and its resources.

Therefore, the decision noted that, the 14th House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had resolved that the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 would only be applicable to the State subjected to the constitutional ensures furnished in Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India. The House further resolved, that the Government of India should guarantee that provisions contained in Section 1(A)(2) of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 shall no longer be used to the detriment of the country and its people. It brought that the House resolved to explore a number picks which includes the State enacting its very own Act for the purpose of having its own compensatory mechanism wherein any diversion of even private or community owned wooded area land for non-forestry purposes and injury to surroundings is suitably compensated by the consumer agency, in addition to availment of advantages of the present schemes of the Central Government in this regard.

NLA DISCUSSES ON MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

Under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, MLA Achumbemo Kikon, initiated a discussion on Dengue and Conjunctivitis outbreak in Dimapur and Mon. He deliberated the Health and Family Welfare Department to take pressing steps to rectify the health employees system. He also stated that the health quarter should be fully organized for any variety of outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics in the future. There is a need to amplify manpower in the health machine and a desirable coverage is required to handle such outbreaks.

While replying to the count put forward through Kikon, Minister, Health & Family Welfare Department, Paiwang Konyak stated throughout such outbreaks the department considers it an emergency and fast track quintessential preparations which are carried out in watching certain protocols and mechanisms. He said that the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare has been proactive in monitoring the whole thing and presenting with whatever was required and is equipped for any motion to be taken for the service of the citizens.

In Dimapur and Mon, fogging was once carried out and the public demanded more. Paiwang mentioned that as an alternative of fogging, the Department desired sanitation and cleanliness force and requested the public to keep their environment dry and clean. This will now not allow mosquitoes to breed due to the fact even if the person mosquitoes are killed through fogging, such techniques do not kill the larvae of the mosquitoes. He additionally delivered that Fogging contains chemical compounds which are damaging to people and therefore, it is imperative for all and sundry to take true care of their surroundings. He advised established conferences of District Health Society the place DC, CMO and MS of each and every Districts and Tribal Bodies come collectively and talk about fitness troubles that arise in their respective districts.

About the present situation of surge in Dengue disorder in Mon and Dimapur, he said that the Department is intently monitoring and doing everything viable to help the patients though there is no specific remedy for Dengue. The Minister strongly appealed to all the residents to preserve their environment clean and requested the District Administration and District Health Societies to sensitize the public and to make sure mass cleanliness drive in colonies and wards. Paiwang stated that the health workers, administration and citizens wants to come collectively to fight such outbreaks.

REPLIES TO STARRED QUESTIONS

Replying to MLA, Achumbemo Kikon on the position of the Government of Nagaland on the Bipartite and Tripartite MoU with Government of India and Government of Assam, Chief Minister & Leader of the House stated that the Government of Nagaland in pursuance of Article 371(A) has been discussing the Bipartite MoU on framework for expediting petroleum operations in the state of Nagaland as proposed by using the Government of India beneath nomination and OALP regimes, in particular in the period in-between length for the duration of the pendency of the disputes. Further, discussion with the Government of Assam and Government of India on Tripartite MoU on the framework on equal sharing of income from petroleum operations carried out in the entire DAB area, as an period in-between association is underway, he added. Rio additionally said that the Champang subject is backyard DAB as such it can be covered in the Bipartite MoU when it is finalized.

With regard to starred query put ahead via MLA Nuklutoshi on the popularity of NH two from Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlang to Pangsha, Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio responded avenue is the primary shape of connectivity in Nagaland and the tentative price estimate for consultancy services for education of Feasibility Study and Detailed Project Report was accorded by way of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on thirty first July 2017. The Tender based estimate was once submitted to the Ministry on twenty fourth April 2018 for approval and the State Government is nevertheless waiting for the reply in spite of seeking coaching from the MoRTH. When requested if any amount has been sanctioned for the road, Rio replied that no amount has been given and that to accord sanction for this road was once outside the purview of the State Government, and the Competent Authority is MoRTH.

Advisor, Water Resources, Tongpang Ozukum appealed and requested the worried Minister and the department to seem into National Highway 701-705 Wokha District, 105-125: Doyang Bridge to Mokokchung District. He additionally requested for fantastic stage of renovation for the roads.