"The concern is generated when one peeks into the finer details of the programme, the plantation areas so selected are the NE region and the Andaman Islands, both of which are biodiversity hotspots and ecologically fragile. Palm plantations in all certainty will denude vast swathes of land of its forest cover. Loss of habitat for the endangered wildlife will have a devastating impact," she said in the letter, a copy of which is with IANS. Sangma also flagged the other concern vis-a-is the socio-cultural issue. Stating that the Northeast India, though sparsely populated than the rest of India, is dotted with many ethnic tribes with their own cultural heritage and practices. "Ownership of land is a centrality of any tribal society, which is also connected to the identity, in many cases, it is the community ownership. Widespread plantations for commercial gain in all possibilities will detach the tribesman of this prized possession of land and wreak havoc on the social fabric," the letter said. She ended her letter registering her "opposition to the unilateral imposition of the NMEO-OP programme on the people of NE region" and requested the Prime Minister to have wider consultation with all stakeholders before moving forward with the decision. (IANS/ MBI)
