ITANAGAR, Sep 8: Environment and Forest Minister Mama Natung, informed that until an eco-sensitive zone is notified by the Central Government through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for the Dihing Patkai National Park in Assam, extraction and exploration of mineral resources cannot take place within a 10 km radius of the National Park under the Forest Conservation Act. Deomali and Namsang falls within this radius.
Responding to a query by Borduria Bogapani MLA Wanglin Lowangdong, he informed that the department, along with the user agency, has submitted the requisite documents to the Regional Office in Shillong, which is still pending. He clarified that this issue is not that of the State government. 
This is despite the fact, as was explained by Geology and Mining Minister Kamlung Mosang, that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had given petroleum Exploration License (PEL) to Oil India Limited in 1998 for Deomali block.
Lowangdong  was of the view that mineral is the future of the State and hence, extraction and exploration of mineral resources must start. He justified that Supreme Court has banned mining exploration and not oil or gas exploration. 
Responding to a question by Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering regarding compensation to villagers near the Gali Reserve Forest and Gutin reserve Forest, Environment and Forest Minister Mama Natung also informed that under the Forest Rights Act of 2006 that grants the use of forest land to other traditional forest dwellers and scheduled tribes that have lived there for at least three generations, villagers of nearby villages of Gutin Reserve Forest will not be affected. He requested the MLA to send a proposal for the same through the District Administration.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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