JCCWB submits memorandum to Union MoS
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, September 23 2021: The Joint Co-ordinating Committee on Wildlife & Biodiversity (JCCWB) has appealed to the Union Minister of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey to take up a strenuous initiative to protect the environment and wildlife.

A press release issued by JCCWB informed that the joint body of UWLPC, WBCC, YAF, PFN & TPOSE on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister.

In the memorandum, JCCWB highlighted that in spite of strenuous efforts made by the State Government and many voluntary organisations, the issues of large scale deforestation by poppy plantation, poaching activities, encroachment to reserved areas/wetlands, illegal earth excavation at reserved hills, defying/breaking of laws by elected members and politically backed persons etc have also been increasing in the State.

Through the memorandum, JCCWB demanded the following key points: Protection of our Sangai by launching Project Sangai in the line of Tiger Project; Declaration of a Tiger Reserve at Tamenglong District (the place where Forest Department confirmed of tiger existence) under Project Tiger; Introduction of a policy to take stringent action to those person/officials/elected persons who are defying/breaking environment/wildlife laws/acts; Long term livelihood policy for tribal people who are practicing poppy plantation in hills and those people inhabiting around national parks/sanctuaries; Introduction of at least 1 Model Green & Pollution Free Village in every districts; Introduction of a policy to compulsorily adoption/plantation of tree by every student as a part of academic curriculum; To encourage those voluntary organisations that have contributed commendable activities in the field of conservation; To take up an initiative to strengthen environment laws/acts both in valley and hill districts; To introduce a Tree Preservation/Transplantation Act for preventing reckless cutting of big trees during highways expansion and other development projects; It may be mentioned that the Union Minister after considering the demands of the JCCWB assured that the Ministry would look into the matter at the earliest to fulfil the long awaited dreams of NGOs for the welfare of future generations.

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