If the Monkeys could talk ?

Seram Neken *

Police personnel at the Mahabali Forest Grove in August 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Compromising a forest area only to provide convenience to human commuters is total neglect of a bio-friendly world which is much desired around the globe nowadays.

All developmental activities need to focus on preservation of forest and natural environment. To clear the forest to pave way for human conveyance is misinterpreting development in all respects. Cutting down of trees and disturbing the age-old natural habitat of monkeys only to construct a diversion bridge over Imphal river at the heart of Imphal city sounds awkward in such a time when the world over talks of preserving natural environment and when Manipur begins to feel the effects of deforestation.

Actions of state government regarding construction of a diversion bridge at Mongba Hanba (Mahabali grove) indicate three things. One, the state government has no concern for the protection of natural environment.

Two, it has not understood the importance of having a forest grove in the city area. Three, it has total disregard of the 'Mahabali' as a natural habitat as well as an important religious site of Hindus.

Almost all citizens right from a school going kid know the benefits provided by trees to the human beings. The world today is putting efforts on saving variety of animal habitat so as to maintain the natural co-existence of human beings and other animals. Though small in size, the 'Mahabali' grove is the only forest area available inside the Imphal city which has been being preserved by the Manipuris particularly the Imphalites from early times. Home to hundreds of Monkeys, it has been serving the city dwellers with fresh air and the needed shade during summer.

With an aim to save and protect the holy site of Mongba Hanba forest (Mahabali), a new organization called 'Mongba Hanba Umang Amasung Laipham Kanba Lup' has recently been formed in the wake of state government planning to construct a diversion bridge at the forest area. In spite of the appeals made by the body and other right thinking citizens, the state government has gone ahead with its intended work by disturbing the animal dwellers in Mongba Hanba forest.

Due to the excavation works by felling the trees at the area, a number of monkeys have been reportedly displaced from the Mahabali grove and started invading the city dwellers particularly at Sagolband area. In spite of the efforts of the PFA volunteers and Zoo staff, the displaced animals cannot be trapped.

News report that a Kids' Day Care centre at Sagolband area had to close down a day to avoid any unwanted conflict perpetrated by the monkeys was really shocking to the animal lovers of the state. It is clear that the monkeys have been frightened and feeling homeless due to the cutting of trees and excavation works at their age-old habitat.

'Mahabali' is a protected area under the Historical Monument Act. Compromising a forest area only to provide convenience to human commuters is total neglect of a bio-friendly world which is much desired around the globe nowadays.

Meanwhile, People for Animals (PFA) which is spearheading the movement for preservation of wildlife in the state has stated that it will send a report on the adverse effect of the construction of a diversion bridge at Mahabali forest soon to the Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development Maneka Gandhi.

In effecting development works, the Manipur government has always acted on short-sighted objectives without looking to environmental considerations. The Forest department of the state government has often remained mum on such matters. While starting any programme or project, all related departmental heads should sit together and have prior discussion on its impacts.

Well before the halt of Sanjenthong bridge for erecting a new one, the government needed to ponder over the ways for traffic diversion of the huge commuters on the bridge. In advance, this daily in its headline news had pointed out the importance of the Sanjenthong bridge in linking the two districts of Imphal west and Imphal east. The state government hastily halted the Sanjenthong bridge even as passage to the old Thumbuthong bridge was not ready for the commuters.

It could have repaired the other Thumbuthong bridge connecting Bamon leikai and Moirangkhom preceding the construction of Sanjenthong. If the bridges at the adjoining areas were made compatible to bear the heavy traffic, the question of a diversion bridge at Mahabali Forest site would not arise at all.

It is high time the state government reconsider the decision to compromise the natural habitat of the monkeys and the tree grove for the convenience of human beings. It is not the human beings alone that constitute a society. Plants and animals have a big share in the society. If the monkeys were able to talk, the human inhabitants particularly the political leaders and government officers of Manipur would have been awakened with their voice.