ZUF sets condition on forest resources
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 02 2022:
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has cautioned government agencies over extraction of forest products and use of land in the Zeliangrong areas without prior consent of the local people.
In a release, ZUF stated that a "huge portion of our land have been damaged, exploited and over used without proper consent and consultation of the land owners and the stakeholders of the area.
The exploitation of the river banks and streams by sand and stone quarrying in the name of development and business activities...have caused many unprecedented disasters both by natural and manmade.
A large chunk of wet paddy field and even human habitation have been greatly damaged and eroded along river valley every now and then".
The Front also cautioned the Zeliangrong people about the dwindling number of many endangered species because of hunting of wild animals and birds while asking villagers not to use non-conventional method of fishing by poisoning, electric and inverter, bleaching powder, etc.
It further said, "The rivers and streams are contaminated with chemical elements and have become health hazard mainly from the construction of Trans-Asian Railway from Jiribam to Imphal, National Highway and other mega projects in Zeliangrong areas along with quarrying of stone and sand along the river bank and causes different forms of diseases".
ZUF then said, "All these methods are totally banned with immediate effect and any defaulter who is found practicing these methods will be penalized with stringent actions".
The Front welcomed all forms of development programmes taken up by both the state and central governments, but insisted that all companies and agencies working in Zeliangrong areas should ensure work quality.
"Extracting forest products including stone, sand and others resources without proper knowledge and information of the local people and paying nominal tax at the lowest rate to the concern villages will be checked", ZUF further said as it asked companies and agencies working in Zeliangrong areas to obtain prior consent from the front before undertaking any projects.
The Front also banned cultivation of psychopathic drug plants including cannabis and poppy, adding that it would extend every possible support and co-operation to any authority and organisation in their efforts to make a free-drug society.