Continuing the Deliberations on the Forest and Nature Conservation Bill of Bhutan 2021 at the National Council today, a few MPs suggested allowing certain developmental activities in the protected areas of the country.
Chapter 3, Section 42 of the Forest and Nature Conservation Bill of Bhutan 2021 prohibits mining, quarrying, and developmental activity in the core zone of the protected area.
A few members recommended amending this section. They suggested allowing development activities such as road construction and erecting electricity poles in the protected areas.
“I would suggest prohibiting mining and quarrying works in the core zone of the protected areas and allowing other developmental activities. It should rather be allowed and controlled. For example, due to this section, currently, we have not been able to provide electricity to Singye Dzong in Lhuentse as the area falls under a protected area,” said Tempa Dorji, Lhuentse MP.
“This particular section needs some changes. As mentioned earlier, mining and quarry work should not be allowed in protected areas. And we shouldn’t allow all kinds of developmental activities on it as well. We should rather prioritise a few important developmental activities like road constructions and grant permission to carry forward the works,” said Nima, Bumthang MP.
Citing possibilities of discovering mines and mineral deposits in the future, some members also suggested allowing mining and quarrying in the protected areas.
“What if the government plans to carry out mining works and there is a possibility to generate good revenue for the country through mining and quarry works? I think this particular section will not allow us to carry our work smoothly,” said Ugyen Namgay, Haa MP.
However, the members of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee which is currently reviewing the bill disagreed on the matter. The members reasoned that keeping the section as it is will ensure the country’s goal of maintaining 60 per cent forest cover and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
“Rather than allowing developmental activities in protected areas, I think it will be better to keep it as it is. It will not only fulfil our country’s goal of maintaining 60 per cent of forest coverage but also put less pressure on human-wildlife conflict,” said Pema Dakpa, Zhemgang MP.
The chairperson of the committee, MP Dorji Khandu informed us that developmental activities are not allowed only in the core protected areas.
“I think the members have misunderstood the fact that developmental activities are not allowed in all protected areas. I would like to correct them and clarify that works are not allowed only in core protected areas,” said Dorji Khandu, Gasa MP.
The house decided to discuss the matter during the final deliberations of the bill.
Passang Dorji
