Bodies road project threat to ecosystem
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 11 2021: KDASU, Khangabok publicity and information secretary Laishram Imoba Meetei has contended that the natural ecosystem cannot be destroyed in the name of executing developmental projects.

In a statement, the KDASU secretary said that YFPHR, YACPIP, YPSR, Justice Foundation and PAFSOC condemned the ongoing felling of 100-300 years old trees along the Moreh to Lilong section of the national highway as part of the road expansion project being taken up by GR Infra Project Ltd.

The project is unnecessarily felling down many trees along the 2km long route that passes through Khangabok area and as such, one can only wonder how many trees have to be cut down in reality while considering the entire length of Moreh to Lilong route.

Presently, almost all trees except two Banyan trees in Khangabok area have been cut down.

Thus, the six bodies would not agree to the destruction of natural ecosystem in the name of development, he said.

"Real development should not affect the quality of life of the people including the environment.

However, the road expansion has not only impacted the rivers and the irrigation system, thereby indirectly affecting the people", it contended.

It then urged the authorities concerned to avoid unnecessary impact to the environment and to take the consent of the people before executing a project, through careful environmental impact assessment, cumulative impact assessment and human-rights impact assessment.

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