Tribal leaders from Khasia and Garo hills met Dr S A Malek, political advisor to the Prime Minister yesterday in a bld io persuade the government to cancel building an Eco Dark there.

The leaders expressed grave concern at the initiative by the government to set up the 'Eco Park’ on their ancestral home land in the hills of Murraichhara and Madhabkunda, some 40 and 65 kilometers respectively' from Moulvibazar district town. The park is being built by the forest department through a four year development project.

More than one thousand families will be affected if the government proceeds with plans to set up the Eco Park at the present site. The park is being built in the remote Khasi hills with (he aim of protecting rare animals and plants species and facilitate tourism in the area.

The project will acquire private land owned by the tribal person that threatens existence of the tribal families who lead a peaceful and quiet life in the hills.

Among (hose who met Dr Malek were well-known Khasia writer Sanjib Drong. Khasia headman Anil Yang Yung. Advocate Karunamoy Chakma and Garo headman Jotish

Rangsha.

The leaders said that the government has thousands of acres of reserved forest land in the hills of Patharia and Langla. next to the place where the 'Eco Park' is being developed now.

’’then instead of building the 'Eco Park' in Patharia and Langla why target lhe Khasia and Garo lands?", they asked.

Dr Malek, assured the leaders that they will maintain fairness in the decision regarding building development of the park. He asked the leaders to provide him with a map of the area so he can take it up with (he Prime Minister.

Dr Malek also said (hat if necessary he will visit Khasia and Garo hills io see for himself the problems arising out ol developing the park al the site.

The park, work on which is already underway, will be completed in 2004. Ehe cabinet in July last year approved the 'bio-diversity' conservation project after the prime minister's consent on March 6.

The cabinet later rejected (he Tk 82 lakh acquisition proposal.

A public gathering has been organised by the Khasia leaders in Moulvibazar district on March 10 to build public support against the decision of setting up of the I co Dark in the area.