Forest staffers conduct route march in Langol RF
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, May 07 2025: A team of Forest Department Central Forest Division (CFD) conducted a route march along the foothills of Langol Reserved Forest (RF) in Khonghampat area on Tuesday.

The march was led by range forest officers (RFOs) Kiranjit Yumnam and Sorokhaibam Robatson.

As per a release by CFD divisional forest officer (DFO) Vikram Suresh Nadhe, the primary aim of the march was to assess human-induced pressures affecting the reserved forest, including trespassing into the forest area, littering, small-scale mining of minerals or other resources without proper authorisation, illegal tree felling and illegal cultivation in reserved forest area.

Pointing out that such activities pose significant threats to the forest ecosystem, the DFO said that the march was initiated to spread the message that any illegal occupation within the reserved forest contravenes Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the Manipur Forest Rules, 2021, and Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 .

Such encroachments are punishable under the law, including six months' imprisonment or fine or both.

The offenders are also liable to be asked to compensate for damage done to the forest as the convicting Court may direct.

To enhance monitoring and prevention of illegal activities, the CFD team proposed establishing additional check-posts along the boundaries of Langol RF.

DFO Vikram Suresh Nadhe also directed the RFOs to conduct a fresh assessment of encroachers to safeguard the forest, conduct patrolling on regular basis and to take strict action against elements engaging in illegal trespass, illegal cultivation in reserve forest areas and breaking of land, it added.

The CFD appealed to the public to inform them of any new encroachments or illegal activities in the reserved forests to aid in conservation efforts.

For more information or to report any concerns, individuals can contact the Division through their official channels, it further said.

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