The Assam government has issued a preliminary notification to constitute the Ledo Namdang Reserved Forest in Tinsukia district, following approval by the State Cabinet.

Reserved Forest

• In India, Reserved Forests are primarily governed by the State Government, but the Central Government holds significant supervisory power, especially when it comes to changing the status of that forest land.
• This shared responsibility is a result of the 42nd Amendment (1976), which moved “Forests” from the State List to the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution.

What is the Ledo Namdang Reserved Forest?

• Ledo Namdang Reserved Forest is a proposed reserved forest covering 9.4 hectares of land.
• It is located in:
  • Tinsukia district
  • Digboi Forest Division
  • Lekhapani Range
  • Makum Mauza
• The notification has been issued under Section 5 of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, which governs the process of declaring reserved forests.

Legal and Administrative Process

• The Additional District Commissioner, Tinsukia, has been appointed as the Forest Settlement Officer.
• The Forest Settlement Officer will:
  • Enquire into any existing rights over the land.
  • Determine the nature and extent of claims, if any.
• The Divisional Forest Officer, Digboi Forest Division, will assist in settlement proceedings.
• So far, no villages, private land, or recorded rights exist within the proposed area.

Ecological Features

• The area lies in the floodplain of the Burhi-Dihing River.
• It consists mainly of alluvial soil, making it fertile.
• Due to its slightly elevated terrain, it is less flood-prone than surrounding areas.
• Present vegetation includes:
  • Predominantly grassland.
  • Scattered fruit-bearing trees.
• The land is considered suitable for plantation activities.

Compensatory Afforestation

• The primary objective is compensatory afforestation.
• This is linked to Stage-I forest clearance granted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• The clearance was for diversion of forest land in Dessoi Valley Reserve Forest, Jorhat district.
• The diversion was approved for oil and gas exploration drilling by Vedanta Limited (Cairn Oil and Gas Division).
• Compensatory afforestation ensures no net loss of forest cover, a key principle of forest conservation.

Exam Hook

Statement-based Question

Q. With reference to the Ledo Namdang Reserved Forest, consider the following statements:

1. It is proposed under the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891.
2. The area is intended primarily for compensatory afforestation.
3. It is located within the floodplain of the Burhi-Dihing River.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3

One-line wrap:
Ledo Namdang reflects Assam’s attempt to align forest conservation with development through compensatory afforestation.

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