Land use policy
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 23 2014 :
A public meeting held today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound urged the State Government to pass a Land Use Policy Act during the State Assembly session which starts tomorrow in order to check the fast shrinking agricultural land of Manipur valley.
The public meeting was organised by the Protection of Agricultural Land and Natural Resources Organisation (PALANRO) and it was attended by PALANRO president Khumanthem Zila, Waithou Mamang Chingarel Loukol Kanba Lup vice president L Lemba and Loumi Shinmi Apunba Lup vice president S Dilip as presidium members.
Addressing the gathering PALANRO advisor Churamani said that agricultural land in Manipur valley has been shrinking at an alarming rate because of many construction works like offices, dwelling houses, parks, monuments, business centres, schools, brick farms, roads etc.
Notwithstanding the fast shrinking agricultural land, there is no proper land use policy for the State and this would further aggravate the State's dependency on imported food grains.
AMUCO vice-president Ph Deban remarked that it is time to exert a strong pressure on the State Government to enact a land use policy for the State Assembly session is commencing tomorrow.
With the level of dependency growing deeper and deeper, a situation of confrontation conflict crops up every there is a blockade on highways, he remarked.
The incumbent Government seems more interested in insignificant, secondary development works.
Later the gathering took out a rally and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.
The main points/demands of the memorandum are establishment of a separate State Agricultural Statistics Authority, revival of the Manipur State Level Land Use Board, participation of civil society organisations and community based organisations in land use management and monitoring and introduction of transit market and marketing policy of agricultural produces.