Rampant deforestation lands ; State in precarious condition: Debendra
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2014: On account of rampant deforestation activities in the hill areas of Manipur and concentration of majority of the State's population in the small valley area, forest revenue as well as land revenue have landed in a precarious situation, Forest and Envi-ronment Minister Th Debendra informed the State Assembly today.

Chief Minister and Finance Minister O Ibobi today tabled a number of demands pertaining to Land Revenue, Stamp and Registration, District Administration, Environ- ment and Forest, Youth Affairs and Sports, Irrigation and Flood Control, Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Minority and Other Backward Classes in the State Assembly today.

Responding to policy cut motion and other objections raised by opposition Members, Revenue, Forest and Environment Minister Th Debendra said that land revenue and condition of forest are facing an alarming situation in the State.

Rampant deforestation lands, State in precarious condition

Even though people are aware about the benefits of forest products, very little is done for protection of forest in hill areas.

On account of rampant deforestation activities, an alarming situation is unfolding in the State.

Mani-pur is already enduring its own share of the impacts of global warming and climate change.

Density of Imphal valley population is growing every year because of continuous immigration from hill and rural areas of the State.

The situation would be really precarious after some years and there is a growing need to protect the Imphal valley, stated the Revenue Minister.

In view of various modernization projects which would be taken up in the coming years, the need to set up industrial units and reserve land for human settlement, and unwillingness of people to migrate from valley to hill areas, the Government is working to introduce an appropriate Bill.

There is no shortage of revenue stamps.

All types of revenue stamps are available abundantly in Treasury and efforts are on to check selling of revenue stamps in black markets, Debendra said.

Although the population of Scheduled Castes has grown by around one lakh, the State still finds it difficult to set up a separate directorate for SC because of the State's sick financial condition.

Only the Director is not enough, the Directorate would require subordinate staff and infrastructure, Ibobi stated.

Talking about sports, Ibobi informed the House that his Government is giving priority to construction of a mini sports complex for each and every district.

After the State Youth Policy was framed in 2011, due gazette notification was issued and a State level committee was constituted for initiating different programmes.

Under the same policy, youth exchange programmes, national integration camps, awareness programmes and many youth activities are being carried out, Ibobi added.

IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip said that there was no question of distribution of SPA funds to different Assembly segments in uneven manner.

On account of fund paucity, the Department is unable to execute many works even if it wishes to.

To control and tackle flood in Imphal city, many long term as well as short term measures have been put in place.

Adequate quantities of materials needed for emergency flood situation have been procured and stockpiled.

DPRs for development Waishel Maril and Lamphel water body have been already submitted to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Efforts are also on to implement the Flood Plain Joining Act, Ngamthang Haokip claimed.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is in charge of Horticulture and Soil Conservation said that there are several hectares of fertile land in hill areas fit for horticulture.

He went on to claim that intensive cultivation system has been already introduced in the State.

Vast tracts of land available in the hill areas would not serve any purpose if people do not have a vigorous work culture.

If the hill people are laborious enough, Manipur can be a rich State, asserted Gaikhangam while calling upon all the people to cultivate a vibrant work culture.

Th Shyamkumar, L Ibomcha, Dr I Ibohalbi, Th Bishwarjit, Dikho, Kh Joykisan, O Lukhoi and Dr Ng Bijoy took part in discussing the demands.