LOUSAL for conservation of paddy lands
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, January 31 2023:
Expressing deep concern over the manner in which paddy land in Langathel village are being dug up and the earth used in industrial areas by wealthy persons of the state thereby making the field unfit for agricultural purposes, Loumi Sinmi Apunba Lup (LOUSAL) has urged the state government to amend the "Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land Wetland Act 2014" and save paddy lands of the state.
An inspection visit of the paddy lands was conducted by LOUSAL, Thoubal unit members on Tuesday and found the paddy lands in Langathel village in a sorry state.
Speaking to reporters during the visit, LOUSAL president Mutum Churamani Meitei informed that many of business houses of the state are carrying out various commercial activities by digging up the earth with use heavy machines in different areas of the 2000 'pari' of paddy lands in and around Langathel village.
In the process of digging up the earth to around 3 feet deep, the fertile soil has all been removed which will prevent from producing good quality crops for the next 5 to 6 years.
Pointing out that the "Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land Wetland Act 2014" has been implemented by the state government to conserve the paddy land and wetlands and to restrict the conversion or reclamation for promoting growth in the agricultural sector in Manipur, Mutum Churamani said that some of the powerful men in the state are misusing the Act, which is very unfortunate.
He further urged authority concerned to amend the Act and incorporate provisions in the Act to effectively prohibit any individual or party from digging up the paddy lands using huge machineries.
The inspection visit was also attended by LOUSAL Thoubal unit president Puyam Budhi and other members.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the trucks used for carrying the dug up earth have been seized by Khongjom police for investigation.