Giwahati, 20th August: A coalition of Members of Parliament (MPs) hailing from the Northeast region has come together to plea with the government for a reconsideration of plans to expand oil palm cultivation in the area. Led by Pradyut Bordoloi from the Congress party, the MPs emphasized the potential environmental and social hazards associated with such an expansion.
The MPs expressed grave concerns about the impact of oil palm expansion, highlighting the risks of deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water scarcity within the Northeast. They collectively submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a comprehensive review of the expansion blueprint for the region.
The MPs pointed out the climatic unsuitability of the Northeast for oil palm cultivation and suggested focusing on utilizing existing cropland in other regions. They also raised economic concerns, questioning the feasibility of oil palm cultivation in a region with high rainfall and low temperatures.
As India seeks to reduce its reliance on imported edible oils, the government’s push for oil palm cultivation has raised environmental alarms. A study by the Centre for Science and Environment predicts the potential loss of 2.5 million hectares of forests by 2030 due to oil palm cultivation, exacerbating climate change concerns.
The collective plea from the MPs underscores the importance of informed decision-making that considers the environmental, social, and economic implications of oil palm expansion in the Northeast.