Manpower shortage hampers forest conservation: Joykishan
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Agencies
Imphal, February 27 2015 :
Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykishan has charged that owing to the failure of the state forest department to maintain sufficient staff, including forest guards, forest conservation work in the state has failed completely.
Bringing up a calling attention motion in the State Assembly on Friday, Joykumar asserted that large scale deforestation of hills tracts is taking place through massive felling of trees and artificial forest fires.
He cited the inadequate strength of forest guards and other staff of the department as one of the main factors that is hampering the initiation of action to check the clearing of woodlands.
He further emphasized the need for creating general awareness on the adverse effects of deforestation.
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In his reply, Minister of Forest Department Th Debendra stated that at present the strength of employees in the department is 778 and put the number of vacancy, including those of forest guards, at 426.Process has begun for filling up the vacant posts including those of forest guards, he said.
Mentioning that many persons involved in causing destruction to forest lands had been arrested, the minister stressed on the need for involvement of paramilitary and security forces in the conservation exercise.