Resistance to Govt's efforts to protect forests
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: March 13, 2023 -

LEAVING aside the endless debates and narratives centring on applicability of The Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reform Act, (MLR & LR Act), 1960 throughout the state, the resistance put up against the incumbent government's effort to strengthen mechanism for protection of forests in the form of protest demonstrations taken out in some hill districts on March 10 rings out the message that the endeavour is being misinterpreted as targeting specific group of people.

Compared to The MLR & LR Act, i960, which was enacted by the Parliament to consolidate and amend the law relating to land revenue in Manipur and to provide certain measures of land reform, the recent demonstrations orchestrated by the Kuki Students' Organisation to denounce fresh initiative to demarcate reserved forest area and prohibit all sorts of human settlement and activities in forests designated as protected has understandably evoked strong reaction from the government, to the extent of abrogating the pact signed over 10 years back to strike a deal over the demand of Kuki armed outfits.

While the outfits' demand includes creation of separate homeland or administration of Kuki kindred tribes under a single administration, the protest, including the violent confrontation in Kangpokpi district between the protesters and the government, forces, underscored the establishment shall have to either stick firmly to its decision or bring the aggrieved party to the negotiating table and convince the latter that there is no ulterior motive behind safeguarding the forests other than ensuring expeditious restoration of the damage caused to the environment.

Unlike in the past when forests were randomly cleared to pave the way for jhum cultivation, it's known to all at the juncture that destruction caused to the forests is primary for poppy plantations, consequently forcing the government to launch relentless drive against poppy cultivation.

Thus, it is natural for the government to suspect that the protest rallies were instigated by certain elements, especially in the backdrop of Manipur facing one of the longest dry spells.

With the government according importance to protection and expansion of forest covers so as to ensure perennial flow of water in the rivers, which remain the main source to keep the water supply schemes operational, it's obvious that any objection raised against the government's move would be construed as an act of offence.

Moreover, conduct of the rally days after the government forces carried out eviction drive in areas already notified as reserved forests and along the inter-district highways deepens the suspicion about possible game plan to arouse public sentiment against continuation of eviction drives.

Notably, the rallies were held days after Tribal Affairs & Hills minister Letpao Haokip had appealed to village chiefs in the hill districts not to establish new village with less than 50 households, thereby testifying expansidn of human settlement in areas designated as reserved or protected forests.

Though the minister's plea is centred on difficulties in extending government facilities to new villages, it is on record that encroachment in forest areas had been leading to destruction of the natural forests and its consequential adverse impact on the environment.