Proposed forest act to serve land grabbers
Says Indigenous People's Forum
Rejecting draft amendments of the forest act and wildlife conservation act, a rights organisation, Greater Sylhet Indigenous People's Forum (GSIPF), yesterday called upon the government not to enact the laws without taking opinion from mass people.
GSIPF also urged the similar organisations to raise greater movement against the section 2(8) of the draft wildlife conservation act where living places of forest people are proposed to be used for tourism in the name of creating Eco Park.
Pidison Pradhan, chairperson of GSIPF, made the call while addressing a press conference at Jaitya Press Club in the city.
Pidison also said the proposed act will not able to save forests and wildlife rather it will save the interest of land grabbers.
Pidison urged the government to stop eviction of indigenous people in name of saving national parks, eco parks, safari parks, reserve forests and social forestation.
“The responsibilities of the Department of Forest are not defined which will give them total control over forest and its people. Their responsibilities should be defined,” he said.
GSIPF as an umbralla organisation of indigenous organisations and communities, include Khasi, Manipuri, Tripuri, Hajong, Patro, Garo and the indigenous communities of the tea estates into a same platform for an effective and collective movement.
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