Awangbow gives sanity call to public over Koubru issue
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 15 2021:
Forest, Environment and Climate Change minister Awangbow Newmai appealed to the public not to do anything in connection with Mt Koubru that might hurt the sentiment of people or disturb the peace and communal harmony.
In a statement, Awangbow informed that a meeting was held on April 20 between him, representatives of Committee on Protection and Preservation of Mount Koubru) COPPK and Water Resources minister Letpao Haokip regarding allegation that worshipers are not allowed to go to Mt Koubru.
He clarified that during the meeting, an understanding was arrived at that anyone who wishes to go to Koubru for worship shall not be stopped by whosoever.
The members were reminded that Mt Koubru falls under the Kanglatongbi - Kangpokpi Reserved Forest which was declared as Reserved Forest in 1968 under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and no activities will be allowed within the Reserved Forest whatsoever unless permissible under the Act.
Also there cannot be any agreement with any organisation on forest land which comes within the Reserved Forest Area, the minister further informed.
Mt Koubru is considered as a sacred mountain by all communities.
The massive deforestation at Mt.
Koubru is unfortunate and the Forest department is taking up plantation programme at Mt.
Koubru, the statement continued.