Address issue of illegal encroachment; MVVRFRPA appeals CM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 11 2020:
The Manipur Valley Village Reserve Forest Right Protection Association (MVVRFRPA) has drawn the attention of CM N Biren Singh to address the issue of illegal encroachment in the hill areas of the State.
In its memorandum, the MVVRFRPA stated that Manipur valley village reserve forest area has been to a large extent affected by issues of illegal encroachment both by unlawful immigrants as well as from native inhabitants of hill areas.
Majority of these illegal encroachers are foreigners who are mainly from Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Expressing its concern over the issue, the Association has sought the intervention of the Government in these areas.
Major administrative inconvenience is caused to the villagers residing at the foothills and hills of Manipur as the forest areas conferred by the State Durbar lies in the administrative jurisdiction of hill districts while some parts are under valley districts.
The domestic requirements available at the forests meant for Meetei villagers residing at the foothills and hill areas as per Durbar Resolution No 10A OF 20-7-32 are being rampantly violated by the advanced tribes and illegal immigrants residing in the surrounding areas.
Encroachment and settlement by other people including illegal migrants from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar have not only threatened the forest rights but also right to life, it said.
Furthermore, contrary to the directives of the Durbar resolutions, relevant state authorities encourage creation of new villages in these areas by issuing gazette notifications.
Deforestation and zooming cultivation in these areas have also affected the environment in large scale.
There is occurrence of soil erosion, water scarcity, degradation in river beds, canals etc.
Owing to the problems mentioned above, the rights of the indigenous people are being threatened and the Association fears that if the situation is not properly addressed, it may lead to communal clashes.
Moreover, reports of clashes between the residents of hills and Meitei villages in Seijang, Senjam Chirang, Andro, Sekmai, Leimaram, Yaingakpokpi, Pheiyeng, Pukhao, Yumnam Khunnou, Uympok etc has come to public domain in recent years.
MVVRFRPA has therefore requested the Government to look into the matter and has demanded that when the new district boundary is drawn, the valley forest reserve area reserved by the then Durbar must be placed within the nearest Valley districts, names of the gorge, peak, etc within the Valley Forest Reserved area must be restored to their original names, the places of worship within Manipur Valley Forest Area must be protected and taken well cared, molehills within the valley area must be reverted back to the respective valley districts, it said.