JAC urges Govt to repeal declaration of bird sanctuary at Thinungei
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 21 2019: The Joint Action Against the announcement of Thinungei Bird Sanctuary has appealed the State Government to revoke its decision to open a bird sanctuary at Thinungei.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, vice president of the JAC Tongbram Nanao said that the people residing in Thinungei earn their livelihood by fishing adding that 90 percent are fish farmers.

He maintained that Loktak is their only source to feed their families and no other jobs or work are available to earn income.

Developing a bird sanctuary in Thinungei will affect the locals at a great scale while appealing the State Government not to convert the area into a bird sanctuary.

Maintaining that the intention of the JAC and the locals, decrying the development of a bird sanctuary, does not mean to harm or make the birds vulnerable, the vice president noted that the fishermen/fish farmers have always been protecting the birds in the areas till date.

He said that the people will continue to protect the birds while appealing the State Govt to choose another location to open the bird sanctuary.

Meanwhile, secretary of the JAC clarified that the statement of one United Committee Thinungei claiming that the people of Thinungei welcomes the State Government's decision is false adding that no proper meeting was conducted with the public to discuss the matter.

He further clarified that another statement of the United Committee Thinungei claiming that there are wide spaces for the fishermen to catch fishes in Thinungei areas even till Mayang Imphal, is baseless and not possible at all.

The secretary went on to state that there are women who are above the age of 70 who also engage in this profession while questioning how they will be able to travel all the way to Mayang Imphal.

On the other hand, the JAC along with the locals had organised sit in protests, rally and other forms of agitation denouncing the announcement of the Govt, which is the living proof, he added.

He further appealed the State Government to consider the sentiments of the fish farmers and revoke its decision.

It alleged that the statements of United Committee Thinungei have been influenced by some people with vested interests who are trying to make the movement look wrong and confusing.

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