Camping, picnic banned in reserved forest area
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 25 2023:
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Central Forest Division RK Amarjit Singh has issued an order prohibiting activities such as camping, picnicking, trekking, expedition, gathering, etc., inside the Langol & Lan-gol Extension Reserved Forest (RF), Heingang RF, Chingkhe-iching RF, Nongmaiching RF, Khema RF, Sambei Purum RF, Khamenlok Gwaltabi RF, Nongmaiching RF, Yaingangpokpi RF and Laiching RF without permission from competent authorities.
In an order issued on January 23, DFO Amarjit stated that there have been increasing reports of incidents of forest fire in ten RFs of the division as the ongoing dry season approaches its peak.
The order noted that in most of the incidents reported, the cause of forest fire has been attributed to human activities such as camping, picnicking, trekking, expedition, gathering, etc.
As such, any detection of such activities in the said RFs without permit by any individuals) will result in punishment of imprisonment which may go up to six months or with fine or both under Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, it further warned.