Council identifies land for tree plantation

A Correspondent
SHILLONG, June 29: The Executive Member in-charge of Forest, Grace Mary Kharpuri today said that the Executive Committee in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has identified 23 hectares of land within the jurisdiction of the Council to plant different varieties of trees. Replying to a question in the council during the budget session, Kharpuri said that the council has identified different areas for planting different varieties of trees. Earlier, initiating the cut motion HSPDP, MDC from Rambrai-Jyrngam KP Pangniang said that the plantation of the Council at Aradonga, West Khasi Hills has now become almost barren due to the wanton destruction of trees by encroachers. Meanwhile, UDP MDC from Shella Teiñwell Dkhar in a lighter vein said that reports of smuggling of teak from Aradonga forest has now become less frequent not because of alert KHADC officials but since there are no more trees to be smuggled. Further, UDP MDC from Mairang and opposition leader Metbah Lyngdoh said that if the Council does not initiate a move to preserve its forests then “outside forces” will have to step in the green cover is protected.