Aizawl, August 22 (MExN): The 12th Session of the Eighth Mizoram Legislative Assembly (MLA) on August 22 passed an unanimous resolution opposing the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, passed in the recent monsoon session of the Parliament .
“This House unanimously resolves to oppose the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 in order to protect the rights and interest of the people of Mizoram,” the resolution stated, reported by PTI.
The two-day 12th Session of the MLA started on Tuesday and the State’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister TJ Lalnuntluanga moved the resolution stating: “That this House unanimously resolves to oppose the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 in order to protect the rights and interest of the people of Mizoram.”
Meanwhile, as per the PTI report, Lalnuntluanga said that the State Government had written to the Centre on October 21, 2021 informing about its opposition to it. The state forest department had also written to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) over the proposed legislation on June 6, he said.
Despite receiving an overwhelming 1,309 protest letters and communications, the JPC proceeded with the Bill’s approval and it was later passed by both Houses of Parliament — the Lok Sabha on July 26 and Rajya Sabha on August 2 —, the minister added. The PTI report further informed that after prolonged discussion, involving several MLAs from both the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and opposition, all the members, except BJP representative BD Chakma, voted in support of the resolution.
