Forest Minister appeals all to uphold peace
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2021:
Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Awangbow Newmai has appealed to the public not to do anything which will hurt the sentiment of any community or disturb peace and communal harmony in connection with Mount Koubru.
The Minister in a statement recalled that a meeting was held on April 20 last between representatives of COPPK (Committee on Protection and Preservation of Mount Koubru) with YAS Minister, Letpao Haokip and himself regarding the allegation that worshippers are not allowed to go to Mt Koubru.
During the meeting an understanding was arrived that anyone who wishes to go to Koubru for worship shall not be stopped by anybody, he said.
He also reminded the members that Mt Koubru falls under the Kanglatongbi-Kangpokpi Reserved Forest which was declared in 1968 under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and thus no activities will be allowed within the Reserved Forest unless permissible under the Act.
He had also reminded all that there cannot be any agreement with any organisation on forest land which comes within the Reserved Forest Area, he said.
Mt Koubru is considered sacred by all communities, he accepted.
The massive deforestation at Mt Koubru is unfortunate and hence the Forest Department is taking up plantation programmes on it, he continued.