Task forces set up to check deforestation
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 02 2014:
Manipur Government has set up four 'Task Forces' headed by Deputy Commissioners of the four valley districts as Chairmen to deal with unchecked deforestation, excavation of earth from the hills and encroachment in reserved forest areas.
In a first step to save forest areas, each Task Force in every district will visit saw mills in the districts concerned and take up legal action against the owners if they were found using illegal timber woods, official sources said Wednesday.
The State Government had on June 23 last decided to form the four Task Forces during a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.
The Government today announced the formation of the Task Forces and instructed the Deputy Commissioners of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, who are the chairmen of these Task forces, to start executing their duties, the sources said.
Superintendent of Police of each district will work as member of every Task Force and each district Divisional Forest Officer will act as member secretary.
Every Task Force would have three major duties�taking up preventive measures to stop illegal deforestation, excavation of earth from the hills, quarrying of sand and stone, removing of illegal structures built in Reserved Forest or Protected Forest area and checking operation of small industrial estates like saw mills.
The Task Forces have also been allowed to engage officials from the Industry Department and other Government employees to assist in their duties.