Meghalaya: Land Grabbing Suspected in Mawpat Forest, KHADC CEM Investigates

Correspondent

Shillong: Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Shemborlang Rynjah, on Wednesday inspected the Mawpat forest amid growing concerns over alleged illegal land acquisitions and unauthorised constructions. The inspection, prompted by a complaint from the women and youth wings of the Voice of the People Party (VPP), has now triggered a high-level probe by the council’s Executive Committee (EC).

Speaking to reporters during the visit, Rynjah revealed, “I had witnessed many pillars being erected inside the forest land,” adding that reports suggest “some MLAs have also acquired land in the said forest.” He stressed, “However, we are still in the dark as to whom these pillars belong to and who has erected them. Therefore, the EC has decided to soon meet to investigate the alleged illegal acquisition of land within the forest and take necessary decisions and actions.”

The CEM was accompanied by executive members and officials from the area, land, and forest departments. He confirmed that the forest was declared a ‘Law Adong’—a protected village forest—in 2014 during the tenure of then-CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit. “I believe former CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit’s decision to declare the forest as ‘Law Adong’ was based on observed activities in the area,” Rynjah said.

However, Rynjah pointed out that the KHADC had cancelled the ‘Law Adong’ notification in 2019 and handed over the forest to the Hima. “Therefore, the EC will immediately meet to decide on the status of the forest,” he stated.

Expressing concern over the erection of pillars in restricted zones, Rynjah noted, “As of now, I don’t know whether these people, who have erected these pillars, have got permission through proper procedure or not and whether they are the subjects of the Hima Mylliem as we fear that there are some people from outside the Hima, who are given land here.”

He also emphasized the importance of adhering to the terms of the agreement signed on May 22, 2014, which had established protections for the area then known as “Khlaw Sumar Kyrpang.”

While clarifying that the KHADC has not yet invited the Hima for a joint inspection, Rynjah stated that the council is still awaiting an official report identifying who erected the boundary markers.

“The EC meeting will aim to determine the next course of action regarding the forest’s status,” he said, reaffirming the council’s commitment to protecting community land and forest heritage from unauthorised encroachment.

Also Read: Meghalaya HC Orders Urgent Setup of Animal Birth Control Committees in Missing Districts

Also Watch: