State losing forest areas due to corruption: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 07 2022:
Urging the public to pay heed to the government's repeated warnings against encroachment in reserved and protected forest areas, chief minister N Biren has said that public should not blame the government for pulling down their illegal structures during eviction drive.
The weeklong celebration of 73rd Van Mahotsav 2022 organised by Forest and Environment Department under the theme 'Festival of Forest' concluded at Nongmaiching Reserved Forest along with a tree plantation programme on Thursday.
Speaking as chief guest of the main event held at Sanamahi Kiyong community hall after the tree plantation programme, CM Biren pointed out that the state is losing its forest areas due to corruption, lack of commitment and flaws in the system in the past.
There has been a huge change in the governance, he said, while adding that earlier Van Mahotsav programmes were organised inside Kangla, but today the government is celebrating the event at Nongmaiching and Koubru ranges.
Earlier, forest department officials carried out their duties from the comfort of their offices but those days are gone.
They should take up awareness activities to make the public understand the importance of forest and ways to protect them so that the public could participate in the process, he said.
Basic arm training has been given to forest guards and they will be equipped with arms and ammunition to protect forest.
Any person or organisation violating the provisions of the Reserved Forest Act will be dealt with accordingly as per the law, he maintained.
Dwelling on government's actions to increase forest cover and conservation activities, the CM stated that the call to save forest cover is not for one individual but for the common good of all.
It is not against any community but for the entire communities living in the state, he said while urging all to refrain from politicising the matter.
He then sought support and cooperation of the general public in the movement to save forest cover.
The CM further assured of bringing a change in the landscape of the state in the next five years and sought support and cooperation from the people in this regard.
He also assured that the government will not compromise on certain issues including corruption, drugs, anti-social elements among others.
Regarding the Tupul landslide tragedy in Noney district, Biren said that large scale deforestation and cutting of hills for the purpose of railway project could be one of the factors contributing to the landslide.
Experts said that the location is adjacent to the 2016 earthquake epicentre and it is also a scientifically probable reason.
As such, the ministry concerned had been requested to conduct a fresh geological survey to prevent such tragedies in future, Biren added.
There is no restriction on fishing in Loktak Lake but activities like planting Phumdis, making them permanent to construct structures including private homestay have potentials to degrade fragile ecology of the lake and as such LDA has been instructed to look into the matter, he said, while urging the public to refrain from any activities that might affect the natural eco-system of the lake.
The government is seeking funds from World Bank with approval from the economic board of the ministry of external affairs to develop a Rs 150 crore mega tourism project in and around the lake, he said.
Biren also called upon the people of Waithou area to make Waithou Chingol a model roadside view.
On the other hand, responding to media persons, the CM iterated that recruitment results for IRB will be declared soon.
The government has also raised complaint with the Indian Embassy in Yangon about the recent killing of two Tamil autorickshaw drivers in Myanmar's Tamu town and the Embassy received assurance from the Myanmar authority of taking up necessary actions in this regard.
The CM also appealed to the public to start wearing masks and follow Covid protocols considering the recent spike in Covid-19 positive cases.
Earlier, the chief minister released a book titled "The Mother of Dark Chamber", which is story of a hornbill couple that nests inside a tree's cavity, written by Dr Kh Shamungou.
The CM explained that the book could be translated into different dialects.
He explained that various communities of the state revere Hornbill bird and the book will certainly help in bringing a realisation amongst the people that even the great hornbill has nowhere to build its home due to deforestation.
Forests, environment and climate change minister Thongam Biswajit spoke on impacts of deforestation and climate change, and said that the government's target is to achieve plantation of 75 lakh saplings across the state by the end of August in connection with Celebration of 75 years of India's independence.
Till date more than 29 lakh saplings have been planted and another 15 lakh saplings have been distributed for plantation which comes to around 44 lakh saplings.
The department will achieve the target of 75 lakh saplings plantation by August-end as envisaged by Chief Minister N Biren, he assured.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajya Sabha MP and titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba encouraged the public to plant trees while explaining the importance of trees in protecting the environment and human lives.
Principal chief conservator of forests Dr AK Joshi, in his key-note address, said that the chief minister has not only taken a special interest in carrying out mass plantation driv&across the state, but has been constantly motivating the staff and officers of the department.
Today the state is celebrating the 73rd Van Mahotsav by carrying out a plantation in Nongmaiching Reserved Forest, which was notified as a reserved forest on January 4, 1990 with an area of 67 sq km.
CAF&PD minister Leishangthem Susindro, Lamlai MLA Kh Ibomcha, Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan and chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar also attended the programme.
Locals, CSO members and students participated in the tree plantation drive.
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