Report sought on Khuga Dam land sale post
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 16 2024:
Authorities have been prompted to investigate the sale of land around the Khuga Dam after a viral video surfaced online, purportedly showing plots being sold in the hill area near the dam.
Divisional forest officer of Churachandpur forest division Esther Laltankim Serto has formally requested a detailed report from the Churachandpur deputy commissioner, seeking clarification on the legal status and ownership of the land in question.
The viral video showing a denuded hill near Khuga Dam being put up for sale with Kuki dialect narration has sparked widespread concern after it surfaced online on Thursday.
The video, which appears to be shot professionally using a drone camera, reveals the hill that was once covered with trees but now been cleared, with properly outlined streets and plots likely created using excavators.
The plots shown in the video are divided into two Plot A and B with the former being offered at a price of Rs 2.5 lakh and Plot B priced at Rs 2 lakh.
It described the sale as special offer for the month of August.
Each plot measures 50x80 feet, and the video provides two mobile numbers - 9612928199 and 9612340868 - for potential buyers to contact.
The hill featured in the video is situated in the catchment area of Khuga Dam, an area that was once densely forested before the current crisis erupted on May 3 last year.
It remains uncertain when exactly the clearing of the hill took place, but the video, which surfaced online on Thursday, has raised alarms about the environmental impact of such activities.
The deforestation in this area, which plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological balance, could lead to severe consequences.
Without the trees to anchor the soil, heavy rainfall common to the area, may result in significant soil erosion, potentially washing sediment into the Khuga Dam reservoir.
This would not only affect the water quality and storage capacity of the dam but also disrupt the broader ecosystem of the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, in the letter addressed to the DC, the DFO highlighted the possibility that the cleared land, now purportedly up for sale by a private party, may have already been compensated at the time of construction of Khuga Dam.
The DFO also expressed concern regarding the legal status of the land, especially considering its proximity to a major infrastructure project like the Khuga Dam.
In the letter, the DFO referred to Section 2(ii) of The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which mandates that no state government or other authority can repurpose forest land for non-forest activities without prior approval from the Central government.
The DFO's communication seeks clarification on whether the land in question has been legally cleared and sold, or if it falls under previously compensated land.
The DFO has requested the DC to provide detailed information on the legal ownership and status of the land, as well as any records of compensation provided during the dam's construction.
The intent is to ascertain whether any unauthorised activity has taken place, and to take necessary action if the land's clearing and sale are found to be in violation of legal or environmental regulations.
Meanwhile, a highly placed source indicated that the DC may conduct a prompt inquiry into the matter and is expected to submit a detailed report by Monday, following which the government is likely to take the necessary steps to address the issue.
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