Plantation drive not against hill dwellers: Biswajit
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 06 2022:
Expressing concern over the sporadic incidents of confrontation with hill dwellers during the tree plantation programmes of the government, forest and environment minister Th Biswajit has said that the government's initiative to conserve forest is not against them but to protect forest for a better future of the state.
Attending as chief guest of the culmination programme of Royal Riders Manipur's "Mahousa Ima Ningshing Tha", which began from May 6, held at THAU Ground, Thangmeiband here on Monday, Biswajit said that a recent wave of tree plantation drive is seen in the state as the people are aware of the importance of trees in maintaining a good climatic condition.
But it is sad that there have been incidents of objection raised by hill dwellers against the government's tree plantation programme taken up jn the hills, the minister said.
Explaining that the initiative is to reverse the impact of climate change by restoring the forest cover of the state, he called for collective effort in restoring the forest cover and living together peacefully.
Minister Biswajit also hailed Royal Riders Manipur for their series of initiatives on various issues and assured of all possible help from the government in their future activities.
Royal Riders Manipur president RK Tombisana, senior journalist Pradip Phanjoubam and environmentalist Salam Rajesh also attended the programme as presidium members.