DIMAPUR, JAN 28 (MExN): Authorities of Old Jalukie Village have written to the State government reminding it of an earlier complaint against leasing of ‘tapping latex’ to a private company of rubber plantation in Jalukie. Quoting reliable sources, the village authorities stated that the Forest Department was leasing out for tapping of rubber to a private company/group/individuals.
While acknowledging that the landowner of the rubber plantation area had sold to the forest department with a view to earn revenue and that the government was extending help to the public by giving manual training like making of nursery, bud-grafting and tapping etc., the village authorities expressed the view that by leasing out the rubber plantation to a private company will bring forth “many disadvantages”.
“Therefore, we highly object to leasing out to the private company/group/individuals for tapping rubber other than the department”, stated a representation issued to the Minister, Forest Environment & Wild Life, Nagaland.
“It is learnt that the department is earning a good amount of revenue from the said plantation. The longevity of the rubber plant is 30 – 35 years but if it is leased out the longevity of the rubber trees will reduce to 10 – 15 years due to random tapping of rubber for more profit”, the representation signed by Hainkieng Hiekha Chairman Old Jalukie Village Council and Kiesoguing Head GB Old Jalukie Village Council stated. Pointing out that if the rubber plantation is leased out, “there will be no co-operation from the public and that the “protection of the trees will become hazardous”.
As such the representation requested the Minister to look into the matter and stop the process or revoke the lease order if already issued and the same be given to the land owner as this privilege is to be enjoyed by the land owner.
