IPAK concerned
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 08 2016:
The Indigenous People Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) has expressed deep concern over the reported construction of dwelling houses and industrial units on agriculture land in contravention of the relevant provision of Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 .
Speaking to reporters at its office, IPAK chairman Sapamcha Jadumani said that out of the State's total area of 22,327 sq km, 2233 sq km is in the valley.
Only 3 percent of the valley area is agriculture or cultivable land.
Due to construction of dwelling houses, brick farms and educational institutions, agriculture land of the valley area has shrunk day by day, Jadumani said.
In order to preserve the agriculture land, the State Assembly passed the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2014.The State Govt came out with a gazette notification on
Sept 2, 2014 .
IPAK in consultation with Kontha Ahallup Development Organisation filed a PIL in the Manipur High Court on Jan 30 this year seeking to conserve paddy land and to restrict conversion of paddy land and wetland into homesteads at Mantripukhri area.
The Court issued a notice to the State which is returnable within three weeks, Jadumani said.
He further appealed to all concerned not to construct dwelling houses on agriculture land.
He urged the pattadars to sell their land only to indigenous people of the State in case the need arises to sell.