Eviction drives don't target any specific community : Biswajit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 12 2023: Taking serious note of the protest rallies staged in a few hill districts on March 10 against alleged violation of hill people's rights by the State Government, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Th Biswajit has clarified that the demarcation or eviction drives being carried out by the Government in reserved and protected forest areas are not targeting any specific community but are aimed at securing the people's future.

Speaking to media persons at the Sanjenthong office of Forest Department today, Th Biswajit said that the eviction drives are being carried out as per the Indian Forest Act and the Supreme Court's ruling and in the interest of future generations.

Eviction drives don't target any specific community : Biswajit

The geographical area of Manipur is 22,327 Sq Kms and the total forest cover is 74.7 per cent.

As per the records of 1989, the total forest area is 17,418 Sq Kms but it is diminishing every year, Biswajit said.

Even though many people do not have a clear understanding of reserved forests, protected forests and classified forest, the State Government has been working hard to protect forests in accordance with relevant statutes of the Government so as to mitigate the impacts of climate change and in the interest of future generations, he said.

All the activities of the State Government aimed at protecting forests strictly comply with the Indian Forest Act.

The Government will never remain silent if someone encroaches into reserved forest and protected forest, he asserted.

The total protected forest area of Manipur is 4171.70 Sq Kms and the total reserved forest is 984.26 Sq Kms and it constitutes just 4.4 per cent of the State's geographical area, the Forest Minister said.

The protected area network comprising wildlife sanctuaries and National parks covers 1132.015 Sq Kms and they constitute only 5.07 per cent of the total geographical area.

The total area of unclassified forests is 11,130.725 Sq Kms, Biswajit elaborated.

He said that there are 36 reserved forests and 22 protected forests in Manipur.

Categorically asserting that there is no question of the State Government violating the rights of tribal people in forest areas, Biswajit said that the Government has been working hard to save the protected forests of Churachandpur-Khoupum region.

Saying that there is no room for the State Government to manipulate the Indian Forest Act 1927, the Forest Minister invited all the people who have grievances against the Act to a joint deliberation.

Earlier some huts and other structures built by encroachers inside Heingang Reserved Forest were evicted by the Central Forest Division and there was no complaint from any quarter.

All the activities taken up by the State Government under the Indian Forest Act are obviously lawful, he asserted.

Dampi area was declared a reserved forest under Churachandpur Forest Division and a notification was issued to this end in 1951. Nongmaiching Reserved Forest was declared as such by a notification issued in 1980 .

The State Durbar declared Cheklaphai as a reserved forest in 1945.Kangchup Chiru was also declared as a reserved forest in 1948, Biswajit said.

He clarified that Churachandpur-Khoupum Protected Forest is not something created anew by the incumbent Government.

It was created way back in 1966 after due notification was issued.

The State Government never works in a sectarian or discriminatory manner.

No one was able to make any legitimate complaint when 69 houses built by encroachers in Waithou Protected Forest along Imphal-Moreh National Highway were demolished.

Likewise, 19 houses built in Langol Reserved Forest, 26 houses built in Iroisemba-Langol Reserved Forest, 86 houses built in Heingang Reserved Forest and 76 houses built in Nongmaiching Reserved Forest by encroachers were demolished, the Forest Minister reminded.

The State Government already issued a notification clearly stating that all houses and other structures built after violating Indian Forest Act 1927, Forest Conservation Act 1980 and Manipur Forest Rules 2021 are illegal.

Further a judgement passed by the Supreme Court in 1995 says that any settlement by an individual or a group of individuals within reserved forests or protected forests will be treated as encroachment, Biswajit pointed out.

He said that the Government has been evicting all encroachers without any discrimination.

The Forest Minister asserted that no one would be allowed to clear woods, build houses or other structures within reserved and protected forests.

K Songjang under Noney Forest Division was evicted on February 20, 2023 as it was a new settlement, not recognised by the Government.

There is no case of the Government ever evicting a recognised village, he said.

He then called upon all the people to work collectively so as to protect forests.

Chief Conservator of Forest L Joykumar, Conservator of Forest, Western Circle Gaithaolu Thaimei, Conservator of Forest, Central Circle RK Amarjit and Divisional Forest Officer, Noney Napoleon Rongmei were also present at the press meet.

Earlier on March 7, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Th Biswajit handed over 100 firearms to Forest Guards detailed for protecting forests and wildlife.

Speaking at the occasion, Biswajit said that 49 Forest Guards have been training on handling firearms and they would be followed by the next batch of 51 Forest Guards.

A documentary film titled 'Lamlakki Lan' produced by the Forest Department was also released at the occasion.