Mizoram: Opposition and Civil Society Demand Reversal of Forest Amendment Bill Approval

In the heart of northeast India, the state of Mizoram finds itself embroiled in a contentious debate over the Forest Amendment Act, 2023. The Mizo National Front (MNF), Congress, Zo Re-Unification Organisation (ZORO), Joint Civil Society Mizoram (CJM), and several other opposition parties and civil society groups have united in protest against the Act.

The crux of the opposition lies in the fear that the Act poses risks to the people of Mizoram and neighboring areas, as argued by the Chief Justice of Mizoram (CJM). The CJM, in particular, emphasizes the importance of preserving the state's land, suggesting that progress can continue under the existing laws.

The MNF, led by Lallianmawia Jongte, the media cell secretary, has submitted a petition to the Assembly Speaker, Lalbiakzama, asking for a special session to rescind the resolution passed on 27 August. The MNF strongly opposes the Act, claiming that it grants excessive power to the Centre over land, which is not safe for the Mizo people.

Renthlei, the ZORO vice president, expresses concern about the exemption of a 100-km area along international borders under the law, allowing the Centre to undertake strategic projects without forest clearance. Renthlei also claims that the law violates Article 244, which safeguards the authority of Autonomous District Councils, Union Territories, and states under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.

Moreover, Renthlei argues that the resolution passed on 27 August may infringe on rights guaranteed to Mizo people under Article 371G of the Constitution, which states that no Act of Parliament relating to land ownership and transfer applies to Mizoram unless endorsed by the assembly.

The opposition parties and organizations, including the MNF, Congress, ZORO, and CJM, have criticized the government for endorsing the law. A Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader, speaking anonymously, stated that the resolution was passed mainly for the purpose of development. However, in the past, when the MNF was in power, the assembly had adopted a resolution opposing the law after consultations with political parties, churches, and civil society organizations.

The Chief Minister, Lalduhoma, defends the adoption of the amendment act, stating that it was necessary since the principal Forest Conservation Act, 1980, was already in force in the state. However, the opposition remains firm in its stance, threatening agitation if the government does not act on their demands for the withdrawal of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 resolution.

The debate in Mizoram serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding land rights and development in India's northeastern states, where indigenous communities strive to protect their lands and cultures while navigating the challenges of modernization and progress.