LDA chairman surveys Tokpa village forest
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, June 10 2022:
LDA chairman M Asnikumar on Friday undertook a field visit to the forest area of Tokpa Khul, which was developed by Loktak Development Authority (LDA) some years ago as part of the Catchment Area Conservation and Treatment Programme, targeting 500 hectares of primary catchment areas of Loktak Lake.
Presently, the area has become a rainforest, expanding to more than 1000 hectares and is home to many endangered indigenous/rare tree species of flora and fauna.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inspection visit, M Asnikumar expressed elation that the forest area has survived the test of time owing to natural regeneration and plantation by the locals.
It is an exemplary achievement which only possible due to the hard work and active participation of the local communities who are settled in and around Tokpa Khul and the LDA's dedicated officers, namely Th Hemchandra Singh (Retd ACF), A Bidyabushan Singh (scientist-catchment area treatment) and their team, the chairman said.
He also thanked the villagers/local communities of Tokpa Khul for their huge contribution in preserving the forest saying it will surely aid ih boosting the local economy.
He added, "Ultimately, it will also help in the conservation of the treasured Loktak lake".
After his field visit, the LDA chairman interacted with the local people and appealed to them to continue their conservation efforts of the forest while assuring them of all possible assistance from LDA as well as from other departments concerned for conservation of the forest and improvement of their livelihood.
Asnikumar also explained to the villagers that preserving the state's natural resources like forests and water bodies is the primary environment agenda of the state government under the leadership of the chief minister N Biren.
M Asnikumar is the first chairman of LDA to pay an official visit to forest reserve of Tokpa village.