WBCC laments unchecked excavation, deforestation; seeks immediate intervention
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, April 12 2019:
Wildlife and Bio-diversity Conservation Committee (WBCC) Manipur has stated that the excavation work carried out at hills as a means to earn money and the vast felling of trees and tree saplings is unfortunate.
Members/volunteers of WBCC were left in awe after they visited different areas of Thoubal district including Tentha Thambal Chingya, surrounding areas of Ikop Pat and Thambal Chingya of Wabagai and Lamyeng hill to take stock of the situation of forest and the trees.
WBCC Manipur secretary general N Romes, while speaking to media persons, alleged that rich and well off people have made the digging at the hill and excavating rocks, starting from Thambal Chingya to all the way inside, as a means to earn a great deal of money.
Romes expressed fear that there would be a drastic change in the climate and the environment if such system continues adding that such work can lead to man made disasters like landslide.
He remarked that the land could all fall down in the neighbouring villages and can result to casualty.
Romes further stated that the team also witnessed the vast deforestation of Long Pine (Uchan) in the areas surrounded by Thambal Chingya and Lamyeng hill and added that nets were found hanging around fish farms inside the lake to capture birds which is also unfortunate.
Later, he maintained that the farm owners were made to take down the nets.
Continuing the inspection tour at the surrounding areas of Ikop Pat, the team seized the equipments used to catch fish using electric current along with three nets.
Over 100 birds were found caught in the nets as well.
Seeking immediate attention of the authorities concerned in taking up necessary measures, He appealed to all to mull over the consequences of these man made disasters and to think over the effects of drastic change in the ecosystem and the resulting fatality.
WBCC Manipur president, vice president and members from different areas were present in the inspection tour.