Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene has warned chiefs against meddling in politics and other negative practices that affected development in their communities. He noted that chiefs were supposed to lead their people to undertake meaningful development programmes to improve their living standards rather than inciting and making unnecessary protests and demonstrations in their areas of jurisdiction. Otumfuo Osei Tutu gave the warning when addressing members of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs at a meeting in Kumasi. He commended various committees in the house for their contributions towards deliberations and asked them to continue with that zeal to improve on their performances. Otumfuo Osei Tutu, however, expressed concern about the work of the Judicial Committee which settled only six cases last year, and asked the members to be more committed and dedicated in the settlement of cases. He noted that efficient and effective performance of the Judicial Committee would ensure peace and harmony in the communities to enable chiefs perform their duties without any hindrance. The Asantehene said negotiations were underway for Parliament to pass the Chieftaincy Act and hoped that it would help develop the institution. Otumfuo Osei Tutu expressed concern about the increasing environmental degradation especially along river bodies and forests and asked the Forestry Commission to institute effective and pragmatic measures to check the situation. Professor Nii Ashi Kortey, Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, said under the National Forestry Plantation Project which begun in 2002 about 123,000 hectares had been planted with various tree species out of which 48,200 hectares were in Ashanti Region. He noted that forests had been depleted due to increasing bushfires and over-logging of timber and asked the chiefs to encourage their people to undertake forestry plantation projects to help plant more trees to conserve the forests. Professor Kortey, urged them to ensure that timber contractors who operated in their areas paid royalties to them as part of their social responsibilities to support them in the execution of development projects. Mr Kofi Nsenkyire, Chairman of Forestry Commission, said in spite of the many constraints, the Commission was working hard to address some of the concerns raised by the chiefs to protect the forest. He announced that arrangements were far advanced by the Commission to pay arrears of royalties to them to develop their communities. Mr Nsenkyire appealed to the chiefs to assist in protecting the environment to ensure sustainable development. Source: GNA