5 January, Thimphu: The Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) conducted its first consultation meeting on the Forest and Nature Conservation Bill of Bhutan 2021 with a team from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests led by the Agriculture Secretary.
The Bill with 11 Chaptered comprises of new features such as Clearly specified Power and Functions of Ministry and Department, Declaration and management of Protected Areas, Promotion of nature recreation and ecotourism in State Reserve Forest Land and Provisions on Human-Wildlife Conflict management measures among others.
During the consultation, issues related to import of forest produce, stakeholder consultations at the grass-root level, grievances with timber allotment, the threat to human life and livestock and sokshing were discussed.
The committee will now share the Bill for wider public consultations during their constituency visits.
The committee was entrusted to review the Bill for Third Reading after it was introduced during the 6th Session of the Third Parliament.
-ICTD
Photo courtesy: National Assembly of Bhutan
