Officials in Park land scandal face action
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 06 2011: The Bishnupur district administration has annulled allotment of land to private parties in Keibul Lamjao National Park while further probe has been ordered to pull up officials involved in the misdemeanour.

An informed source said that allotment of land within the National Park area to 14 individuals has been revoked consequent to findings of a preliminary investigation initiated by the Deputy Commissioner, Bishnupur district.

It is said that the probe detected involvement of the Moirang Sub Divisional Collector (SDC) in the controversial allotment of land within the animal sanctuary in between 2010 and 2011 .

According to the source, the SDC concerned approved (signed) the land allotment documents to eight individuals in 2010 with another allotment effected this year to six persons.

The 16 individuals were reportedly provided an equal size of 2.50 acres each.

While the preliminary investigation has proved beyond doubt involvement of the moirang SDC in the mal-practice, the Bishnupur Deputy Commissioner has ordered further investigation to verify whether other officials are also liable for punitive action.

The source further confided that Bishnupur DC namely L Laxmikumar has officially intimated to the Chief Wildlife Warden for a joint demarcation exercise of the National Park before the upcoming Assembly elections in order to define and preserve the Park zone.

Taking serious note of the controversial allotment of the Park land to private parties, Forest & Environment and Revenue Minister Th Debendra has also asked officials of Forest and Revenue Departments to undertake joint demarcation exercise so that eviction drive against the encroachers could be initiated.

Declared as a National Park in 1977, the total area of Keibul Lamjao as per official record is 40 sq kms.

The floating biomass on the Loktak Lake is the only natural habitat for the endangered Brow Antlered Deer (Sangai) .

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