AR, Forest Dept tie up to tackle smuggling
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 07 2024: Forest and Environment minister Th Biswajit convened a meet with top officials of the Assam Rifles to coordinate in taking legal action against smuggling of forest products ana check deforestation in the state.

The meet held at the minister's office chamber at New Secretariat North Block was attended by Brigadier-ranked and commanding officers of Assam Rifles units deployed in different parts of the state.

Top officials of state forest department including additional chief secretary MH Khan, principal chief conservator of forests SS Chhabra, chief conservator of forests Longjam Joykumar, assistant chief conservator of forests Soreiphi, conservators of forest RK Amarjit and Gaithilui and others also attended the meet.

Regarding the meet, minister Th Biswajit told media persons that the forest de partment will coordinate and communicate with the Assam Rifles in checking smuggling of forest products and in preservation of forest areas.

The joint meet agreed to take up steps to regulate business of forest products as per norms and directives of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, Indian Forest (Manipur Amendment) Act, 2018, Manipur Forest Rules, 2021, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Supreme Court directive of January 15,1998 on WP (C) No 202 of 1995 .

This will also help in enhancing revenue generation of the state, he said.

According to minister Biswajit, the Assam Rifles had been extending help in checking smuggling of forest products in the state and Tuesday's meet resolved to coordinate and communicate further on taking necessary action against smuggling of forest products.

The AR side also assured to cover areas where there are no check posts, he said and appealed all concerned to stop smuggling of forest products or else may face legal action.

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