Human greed bleeds Charungkhou forest
Source: The Sangai Express / Lusenliu Pamei
Imphal, May 05 2014:
Charungkhou, also known as Chaiba village in Churachandpur district, is facing adverse impacts of the now outdated model of modernization generally characterised by wanton destruction of environment and natural resources.
The village's adjoining forest, known as Kaiguangngou, once a densely wooded area has now become shockingly sparse now.
Hundreds of logs were laid out, ready to be transported.
Commenting on the drastic changes seen in the area, a villager said, "Almost 4 kms of the forest area have been deforested, streams that flowed throughout the year have now become a part of history.
Hundreds of wild animals and birds have lost their homes" .
Adjacent to the forest lies the popular Rasuan hill, which has now become a popular site for quarrying.
Both young and old alike from nearby villages come for quarrying at the hill and the surrounding areas.
The sound of massive stones rolling down the hill can be heard from almost half a kilometer away.
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A few concerned villagers join hands and formed a United Committee for Protection of Natural resources (UCPNR) to save the forest and the Rasuan hill from further destruction.
However, their efforts have so far yielded little results with the village chief leading the village folks in unrestrained deforestation and quarrying activities.
UNPNR's secretary, PG Peter said, "The chief of Chaiba village, Changhkonlung (John) Thaimei, is a non-resident of the village.
He resides in Chothe Maning, Bishnupur.
He gave permission to other villages to cut trees and quarry stones from the hill after taking a huge amount of money" .
The reason he gave for large scale lumbering and quarrying is to build a Government JB School.
"However, we are well aware that the Government had already sanctioned the fund to construct the school.
Timbers worth almost 10 lakh were cut down and this cannot be taken lightly" .
He further questioned, "Is there any Government plan or policy which asks the village to cut down trees, exploit natural resources to build schools?" .
Although the Committee recently issued a notice of prohibition on cutting trees and quarrying, the same activities still go on.
Another villager said, "All we want is better living conditions for our children, grandchildren and the generations to come.
Whatever is happening is against the law of the land and as well against nature" .
The villagers are keen to get education on how to conserve environment and natural resources.
PG Peter added, "We want to organise an awareness camp and educate the villagers about various issues related to environment.
We hope adequate awareness programmes can be launching pad for a sustained, mass movement towards protection of environment and conservation of nature" .