Move to make Heibok Hill RF opposed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 04 2026: Urging the Government to withdraw the process of designating Heibok Hill in Imphal West as a Reserved Forest, a large number of people from three communities staged a sit-in protest at Hiyangthang Tarahei today.

As part of the protest organised by the Heibok Hill Protection and Development Committee (HHPDC), a memorandum was also submitted to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), urging the Government to declare Heibok Hill a community-managed forest.

Copies of the memorandum were also submitted to the MLAs of Langthabal, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa and Wangoi Assembly Constituencies.

Move to make Heibok Hill RF opposed

Speaking to the media, HHPDC president Thounaojam Priyokumar said the Cabinet had taken a decision on October 24, 2024 to declare Heibok Hill a Reserved Forest.

He said the protest demonstration was organised in association with residents of Naran Konjil, Takhellambam Konjil, Hiyangthang Tarahei, Khoupum, Khoupum Chingthak and Khoupum Chingkha, demanding withdrawal of the Cabinet decision.

Saying that Heibok Hill has been a source of livelihood for around 10,000 families, he added that residents have also been relying on the hill as a grazing ground for cattle and for religious purposes.

He also said the people have been safeguarding the ecology of the hill.

Implementing the Cabinet decision, however, would not only deprive them of their livelihood but also lead to their eviction, Priyokumar said.

He further said that the Government cannot designate an area as a Reserved Forest without consulting the people concerned under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, popularly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA) .

According to the FRA, he said the Government must consult the people and discuss measures to safeguard their rights before designating any area as a Reserved Forest.

He claimed that the Government did not consult the concerned Gram Panchayats or local clubs before taking the Cabinet decision to designate Heibok Hill as a Reserved Forest, nor were any Gram Sabha meetings or public hearings held.

As such, he urged the Govt to withdraw the Cabinet decision and instead declare Heibok Hill a community-managed forest.