Northeastern state of Mizoram stands as the solitary state opposing the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, 2023, a nationwide first in both the Himalayan region and the country.

In a unanimous resolution passed on August 22, the Mizoram State Assembly expressed its objection to the Act, aiming to safeguard the “rights and interest” of its people.

The Mizoram assembly, composed of 40 members, convened in Aizawl for the 8th state assembly session, where it affirmed its opposition to the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, 2023.

Though the state government of Nagaland has not opposed the new law, but the Naga People Front has also opposed  the amended Act. 

Apart from the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF),  Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), comprises of various ethnic groups led by MLA and former MP Lalduhoma, came together against the amendment.

The political landscape in Mizoram revolves around major tribes, particularly Lushei, Ralte, Hmar, Paihte, and Pawi, with 11 sub-tribes which are getting subsumed with the first five. 

The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Pu Zoramthanga, heading the Mizoram National Front (MNF), holds a dominant position with 27 members in the assembly. In contrast, the opposition, including ZPM with six MLAs, Indian National Congress with five, BJP and Independent with one each, holds a minority representation.

With assembly elections imminent this year, the MLAs and their parties are leveraging tribal sentiments by voicing concerns over the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, 2023.

The Bill carves out exceptions for a 100 km corridor along international borders for road connectivity, eco-tourism, zoos, and livelihood enhancement, raising objections for potentially permitting corporate intrusion into tribal habitats.

The Modi  government seeks to give a big infra push under its “Look Northeast Policy” securing country’s border from the infiltration from the ultras from the Myanmar and so.  

It is these “fears that the MLAs” are raising among the tribesmen in Mizoram which shares border with the Myanmar and is a hot spot of the contraband smuggling across the border, commented the analysts.  

Rajya Sabha ratified the Forest Conservation Amendment Bill, 2023, early this month soon after Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, offered a comprehensive response to queries raised by Rajya Sabha MPs.

The passage of the bill prompted mixed reactions, with conservationists, NGOs, and environmentalists fearing repercussions on India's fragile ecosystems across India.

Union Minister Yadav defended the amendments, emphasizing the balance between forest conservation, tribal well-being, and border security. Under the banner of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishvas," the amendments align with the mission LiFE, echoing principles found in the Upnishads.

The Mizoram has one MP each in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and they had also raised issue over the intrusion of the outsiders into the tribal stronghold in the remote Northeastern states.

None of the Himalayan states including UTs of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir,  and non-BJP-ruled states have raised any issue over the passage of the Act so far. 

In fact, they have lapped up the new law as a big relief from getting time-consuming tedious FCA clearances for even constructing a girls’ school toilet in the state where some forest land is involved as the all land even barren and wastelands are forest land as per FCA, 1980.

It remains to be seen how the MLAs and would-be MLAs take the new Law in the coming years after the elections to the Mizoram state assembly due this year.