Wangoi set to check timber smuggling
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17 2023:
All clubs and organisations in Wangoi will begin a special drive to ban and check illegal transport of timber/wooden beams on Mayai Lambi, said MLA Khuraijam Loken.
The drive aims at conserving forests and environment, he added.
At his official residence at Babupara today, the Wangoi AC MLA said forest cover in the State has been reduced significantly as a result of increasing deforestation and other human activities in the hills.
There have been reports of timber/wooden beam laden trucks plying the Mayai Lambi in the dead of the night.
In fact, one night, he saw 6-7 trucks carrying timber on Mayai Lambi, said the MLA.
He said deforestation is a serious issue that has a devastating impact on the climate, and the shortfall of rain and water scarcity are a result of changing and deteriorating climate conditions.
Deforestation degrades the environment and it should be checked swiftly.
To conserve forest and environment, afforestation must be encouraged, he added.
The MLA also stated that he had tried his best to provide drinking water to the public of Wangoi hit by scarcity of water.
Meanwhile, he said the Government should take up immediate steps to effectively ban and check illegal transport of timber/wooden beams.
Steps should be taken up to deter illegal felling and transport of trees.
This will also help conserve forests.The special drive to be launched at Wangoi area will check and detain trucks carrying timber on Mayai Lambi, he said, adding that such a collective step is required to save the forests of Manipur.
He also stated that the Mayai Lambi, which connects Imphal with Wangoi, Mayang Imphal, Wabagai and Serou etc, is in bad shape and it needs reconstruction.
The road is also very narrow and has caused many accidents injuring and killing innocents.
Also, heavy vehicles plying have damaged the road, he added.
The Government had earlier stated that it would convert Mayai Lambi into a four lane road, and in this regard, a request has been made to initiate the reconstruction work early, the MLA said requesting the Works Minister to urge the Centre to take up the work as early as possible.
Loken said people of his Constituency have made appeals to him to reconstruct the road.