Loss of forest cover and manpower shortage narrative
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 09, 2024 -

No doubt, protecting wildlife and forests is essential for preserving the natural environment, which every concerned stakeholder should strive to achieve as failure to maintain the ecological balance will make life difficult for humans.

With climate change and adverse weather pattern already affecting all living beings, the policy makers should not only chalk up prudent strategies to prevent collateral loss of lives and properties but also ensure effective implementation of the same.

As pointed out by principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Anurag Bajpai all stakeholders should demonstrate collective maturity and responsibility in protecting the natural environment so as to help in upholding identity and heritage of the state.

With industrial output in the state still incompatible as the existing industries are only small-scale private undertakings, protecting wildlife and natural environment needs utmost attention of the government and its relevant departments to facilitate sustainable development take roots.

Accepted that not many would subscribe to the idea of having lush green forests without guaranteeing food and proper Shelter for the burgeoning population but the fact remains that a state like Manipur cannot allow rapid depletion of the forests, which have mineral and natural resources possessing immense potential to sustain tourism industry.

However, as mentioned by Anurag Bajpai in his speech at the workshop themed 'Wildlife conservation through coexistence' and organised as a part of the 70th Wildlife Week 2024 by the Wildlife Wing of the forest department, anthropogenic activities are detrimental to wildlife and forests as well as pose serious threat to human survival.

With destruction caused to the fragile ecosystem remaining unaddressed as many continue to indulge in activities which are contradictory to the collective aspiration for living under a congenial environment, it is inevitable that either the forest department swing into action to protect the existing forests or the government spare take befitting punitive action against those found violating laws framed to help reverse the climate change phenomenon.

The forest department in particular should take note that apart from the brow antlered deer Sangai and the rare flower Shirui Lily, Manipur has not much to showcase in terms of flora and fauna, with the few in existence also facing existential threat considering the fact that majority of the hill ranges has no substantial green cover.

Experts and worried stakeholders may continue to remind humans about the inseparable relation with nature and wildlife, but it could be safely stated that such clarion calls wouldn't impress those involved in timber trade or poppy plantation from rethinking about their lucrative, albeit, unlawful activities.

Thus, along with consistent efforts to solicit cohesive and collective efforts by concerned stakeholders, NGOs and CSOs to protect the wildlife, the forest department should engage the law enforcement agencies to check further destruction of reserved and protected forests rather than the top-rung department officials endorsing request for posting and transfer of personnel to preferred locations, forest product checking points to be specific, and citing lack of manpower as and when posers are raised over efficiency of the department.

It must be taken into account that successful replenishing of handful of denuded hill ranges would be commended by the public.