Association flags construction of road inside reserved forest area
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 26 2026: The Youth United Voluntary Association (YUVA) has flagged the construction of a road by felling trees in an area under the Khamenlok-Gwaltabi Reserved Forest.

The construction is being carried out by Kukis using heavy machinery including JCB, said the association's convenor Th Luwang Meetei, urging the Government and the Forest Department to halt the construction and take legal action against the persons involved.

Speaking to reporters at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Luwang said the road is being constructed on Natumching near Sanasabi Khul in Imphal East district.

Massive number of trees been cut in the reserved forest area to construct the road, he said.

The construction, he said, began in the morning of September 25.There is also a Naga village just below the road being constructed, he added.

While the Forest Department must have knowledge of the construction in the protected forest area, it has not yet taken any action to halt it, Luwang said.

In the valley area, the Forest Department is known to have evicted even the smallest thatched hut erected in the periphery of forest area for selling "Bora" (fried fritters).

But, it has failed to even acknowledge the construction of the massive road, Luwang said.

If no action is taken to halt the construction and punish the persons involved under the law, the people along with the association and other civil bodies may boycott the Forest Department for selective enforcement of forest laws, he added.

Seeking the attention of both the State Government and the Forest Department, Luwang said all illegal settlements and structures under the Khamenlok-Gwaltabi Reserved Forest must be evicted and all constructions must be stopped.

Illegal poppy plantations in the areas must also be destroyed, he said.

Luwang also appealed to the people and civil bodies to consider launching agitation in case the State and the Forest Department fail to take anticipated actions.

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