(IN): Dorbar demand may delay Ri-Bhoi zoo project

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Link: http://www.theshillongtimes.com/shillong.html*

 

**Dorbar demand may delay Ri-Bhoi zoo project

**By Our Reporter*

 

*SHILLONG:* In a new development that is likely to delay construction of the

proposed State Zoo, the Dorbar Shnong of Mawlein-Mawkhan, Ri-Bhoi has asked

the State Government to keep in abeyance all construction activities for the

zoo till an MoU is signed between the Dorbar and the Forest and Environment

Department.

 

Representatives of the Dorbar Shnong, led by Rangbah Shnong DL Kurbah, met

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) VK Nautiyal here on Monday and

placed before him their demand for signing of an agreement between the two

sides before continuing with the project.

 

They also asked for " a temporary halt to all construction works till the

agreement is entered into. "

 

" The agreement is needed in order that there will be no problem or

complication in future in while implementing the project, " Mr Kurbah said in

a memorandum submitted to the PCCF, while expressing concern over the

decision of the department to go ahead with the first phase of construction

works on the project without entering into any agreement with the Dorbar.

 

Meanwhile, Mr Nautiyal termed the Durbar's demand for an MoU on the project

as " unjustified. "

 

Speaking to *The Shillong Times*, Mr Nautiyal clarified that the department

had already acquired land for the zoo and paid due compensation to the land

owners concerned, adding entering into any further agreement with the Dorbar

was " totally unnecessary. "

 

" At the meeting I clearly explained to the Dorbar the stand of the

department on this matter. What MoU do they want when we have acquired land

for the zoo? " Mr Nautiyal questioned, pointing out that MoU was required

only in the case of donated land.

 

It may be mentioned here that 72.74 hectares of land for the State Zoo at

Mawlein-Mawkhan village was acquired by Ri-Bhoi district administration on

June 26 2002 after payment of Rs 185.16 lakh as compensation to land owners.

The land was taken over by the Forest and Environment Department on August

12 2002.

 

The Twelfth Finance Commission had awarded Rs 30 crore for the project out

of which Rs 19 crore would be spent during the first phase of the

construction works.

 

The department had invited tenders for construction of boundary wall of the

zoo as part of the initial work on the project.

 

The department would soon conduct a minute survey before working out the

master plan for the zoo. The master plan would have to be approved by the

Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to facilitate execution of other technical

details.

 

The department is learnt to have discussed submission of a proposal to the

Finance Commission for allotment of recurring fund to meet maintenance

expenditure on the zoo.

 

 

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