Works for clearing Mongba Hanba Forest starts, locals resist
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 13 2014 : As per a directive of the Governor of Manipur, works for clearing away the historical Mongba Hanba Forest, always known as Mahabali Umang, on the eastern embankment of Imphal River, in which is a protected area under the Historical Monument Act has been started to pay way for construction of a diversion bridge until completion of the new four-lane Sanjenthong Bridge which is under construction.

Notably, the directive has came in the backdrop of uproar from certain sections, saying that daily commuters especially school and college going students have been facing lots of inconveniences following the closure of Sanjenthong Bridge.

The Mongba Hanba Forest is considered as a holy place for followers of Hindu religion and a Hanuman Thakur temple is located inside where a large number of monkeys are taking shelter.

Sources said that the works for construction of the diversion bridge which is to be constructed over Imphal River is entrusted to Public Works Department (PWD) and boundary wall of the forest area has been already demolished using JCB on June 12 evening.

Mongba Hanba Forest

Earlier, it was decided that the diversion bridge would be built few meters to south of present Sanjenthong Bridge opposite the cemetery.

Meanwhile, on hearing the news that the diversion bridge is going to be constructed by clearing away the sacred forest, an irate mob stopped the laborers engaged for the construction works from any further work in the area this morning.

In this regard, an organization christened as Mahabali Umang Kanba Lup was also formed during a meeting convened by Mahabali Seva Samiti today.

The meeting was attended by residents of Mahabali Kabui village as well.

Speaking to media persons, Rabichandra, spokesperson of the organization, said that the government's decision to construct the diversion bridge is a welcoming step in view of the difficulties faced by people in traveling to their destination after closure of Sanjenthong bridge but it should not be at the cost of wiping out the historical Mongba Hanba Forest.

He stated that the State Government had declared the forest as a protected area in 1980 and subsequently the responsibility to protect it was given to Mahabali Seva Committee.

He went on to inform that the the government did not give prior information regarding the sudden demolition works and demanded immediate halt to the ongoing works.

Y Ratikanta, Councilor of Ward no.19 IMC, said that the decision to construct the diversion bridge by clearing away Mongba Hanba Forest, the one and only forest area in the Imphal city, has been taken in a rather hasty manner.

Pointing out that the decision to wipe out the forest for construction of a diversion bridge has come at a time when the government itself is leading in tree plantation drive, he urged Chief Minister O Ibobi to personally intervene in the matter and save the sacred forest from going to extinction.