Committee formed to save Nongmaiching
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 06 2022: In the wake of Sunday's unwanted incident during a tree plantation drive at Nongmaiching reserved forest area, a joint meet of Coordinating Body Khurai, Joint Forest Management Committee and Laining Ejaat Kanba held on Sunday resolved formation of a committee to save Nongmaiching (hill range).

Briefing media persons on Monday at the office of Coordinating Body Khurai with regard to the joint meeting, Khurai Pana Apunba Singlup secretary Ibohal Khurai pointed out that Nongmaiching is also one important sacred place for the Meitei community since time immemorial just like Koubru and Thangjing hills.

To save Nongmaiching hill range, the joint meeting was held on Saturday evening and formed a committee christened 'Nongmaiching Laiphamlen and its environment preservation committee'.

Nongpok Lamjing, Naharup treasurer Somorendro Maibam has been appointed president of the committee and Chongtham Sana-hal of Coordinating Body Khurai as secretary during the joint meet, Ibohal added.

Regarding Sunday's incident that happened during a plantation drive at Nongmaiching hill, Ibohal said the chaotic situation erupted after villagers opposed the plantation drive claiming ownership of the land though it was done at Nongmaiching reserved forest area.

In reality, Sunday's incident was a conflict between those continuing deforestation for poppy plantation and people determined to save environment by planting trees in deforested area, he added.

Ibohal also categorically stated that Nongmeipan village should be held responsible if any of the saplings planted on Sunday is found damaged or uprooted and necessary legal action must be initiated against those who disrupted forest officials in executing their duties during the plantation drive.

According to Ibohal, villagers opposing plantation drive and claiming land ownership were unable to produce any document and reluctant to accept the plantation area as Nongmaiching reserved forest even as forest officials present at the site showed them the relevant gazette notification.

The area covered by Nongmaiching reserved forest is 74.24 acres as per the gazette notification, he pointed out, while appealing to Kuki Inpi Manipur to stop creating fake history to mislead people.

He also asked Kuki Inpi Manipur to stop submission of memorandum to the Prime Minister with fake history but work on factual accounts only.

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