Protected site tag on Mt Koubru peeves TACO
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, January 28 2021:
The Tujang Area Chiefs' Organization (TACO) has highlighted its strong objection to the decision of the State Government to declare Mount Koubru as a protected site.
The decision of TACO was aired to the Commissioner (Art & Culture) .
The chiefs' organization registered its vehement objection against the Government's notification No 5/ll/2008-S (AC) Secretariat Art and Culture Department proposing to declare Mt Koubru area as a protected site and drew the attention of the Government by submitting a representation to the Commissioner (Art & Culture), Government of Manipur on January 25 .
The representation signed by the Chairman Seikhosat Kipgen and its Secretary Hemjang Kipgen stated that Koubru hill has been a perennial source of livelihood and food security for the people of Tujang Lhang where more than 36 Kuki villages inhabit the foothills of Mt.
Koubru.
The details of Tujang Lhang boundaries as stated in the representation is Imphal river in the East, ridge of Mt Koubru range in the West, Bongmol Nullah in the North and Joujangdung in the South.
It recalled that Pearson, the then PMSD in his Sadar Hills Misc Case No 756 of 1946-47 had settled Ngullen, chief of Tujang in the land between 111.5 and 112.5 mile stone on the DM Road.
It also stated that the site has historical as well as primal religious traditions and cultural significance for the Kuki community since time immemorial adding that Mt.
Koubru has been revered by 'our ancestors for ages by maintaining a symbolic relationship and many such stories are narrated in our folklores'.
It continued that the local communities not only regard Mt.
Koubru as 'Mother Nature' but they also sustainably use the resources and conserve and protect the ecosystem for generation as it [Mt.
Koubru] is an integral part of 'our cultural heritage, ancestral land and identity'.
It stated that to implement any kind of development projects or preservation activities, be it by the Central Government or State Government, NGOs or any civil organizations, the consent of the local stakeholders is needed.
The Tujang Area Chiefs' Organization further stated that based on the above facts, an exclusive claim of the site by any particular community or religious group would disturb the status-quo and any attempt to infringe 'on our right of ownership and access to resources shall be opposed to any extent' .