Source: Hueiyen News Service / Lenin Wangkheirakpam
Imphal, July 21 2009:
Even though deforestation is one of the main causes for extreme weather changes in the state and government, by knowing the fact, has taken up to steps to regain the forest stock, at Sajik Tampak area of Chakpikarong sub-division of Chandel district, the felling of tree is continuing without any restriction.
So far, any of the agency, may be from the government authorities or non-governmental organizations have so far banned or imposed restriction in cutting trees by the villagers, revealed, Nehthang Haokip, chief of the Molphei village of Sajik Tampak area.
He said, even though villagers are well aware of the impact given by deforestation, they still felling trees as it is a must for earning income.
The felling of trees to convert into charcoal is the main occupation of the villagers next to paddy cultivation.
They have no other means to earn income to run family other than making charcoal for selling.
They also aware of the drastic change in the weather condition that directly give impact to the climatic condition of the area and at many instant they thought of stopping felling trees.
But they have to review their thinking as they have no alternative way to earn their livelihood other than making charcoal, he added.
If the authorities of the government deputed its staffs to Sajik Tampak and takes up other ways of incoming earning ways like cattle rearing, vegetable plantations and other activities which can generate income by imparting training with modern know-how, the rate of felling trees can certainly check to some what extend, the chief went on to observe.
In the year 2006-07, government agencies taken up bamboo plantation programme at four villages of Aimol Tampak of Sajik Tampak, Moljang, Helpi, Bullen and Kotlien.
But the programme could not be successfully implemented as authority invested only Rs 15,000 to 16,000 .
So, villagers wanted to take up only the project which could give benefits to the villagers, Nehthang added.
Even though government has taken up works to tackle to irrigate paddy fields by declaring and supplying water pump sets, so far a single pump reached the area and paddy field of around 40 villagers are remaining barrel without taking up works for irrigation.
In such condition, villagers are feeling apprehension of food scarcity in the coming year.