Wildfires raze
Source: The Sangai Express

Bpr/Noney, March 13 2023: Wildfires razed to the ground a major portion of Langjing Manbi Reserve Forest in Henglep AC under Churachandpur district.

The fire which started around noon yesterday originated from the northern part of the Reserve Forest and reportedly blazed on till late into the night.

It has been alleged that some unknown miscreants started the fire, which then went on to spread through the forest in the form of a wildfire.

Upon receiving information about the fire, villagers residing in the surrounding area of the Langjing Manbi Reserve Forest which falls under Bishnupur District Forest Division, Moirang Forest Range staff, District Forest Division staff, Moirang Fire Service, District Police team led by Satyam Takhellambam, Additional SP Law and Order (under the supervision of Bishnupur SP N Herojit), Moirang AC MLA Thongam Shanti and workers at the MLA's Moirang Office tried to bring the fire under control till late into the night.

However, windy conditions wreaked havoc and a large section of the forest was ultimately destroyed by the fire.

It is worth noting that Langjing Manbi Reserve Forest was damaged by a wildfire in April of 2020 as well.

The Forest Department has not yet released any information regarding the magnitude of damage caused by the wildfire till the time of filing this report.

Villagers in the surrounding areas have also expressed grief in this connection.

Separately, a wildfire also swept through thirty hectares of horticulture farms to the ground at Longsai Part II under Henglep Sub-Division of Churachandpur district.

This wildfire reportedly spread from Hengmol village.

Kabidon Gonmei, Chairman, Longsai village has shared that the fire completely destroyed bamboo farms on top of causing damage to many other horticulture products and called upon the relevant department to look into the incident.

The Chairman also pointed out the absence of fire service facilities in the district and lamented over the fact that people ultimately end up losing their precious farms, crops etc when such fires rage beyond the control of the villagers.

As such, he maintained that if a fire service station had been set up in the area, it could have reduced the damage caused by the fire to some extent.

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