Forest Department launches eviction drive
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 20 2025: In a significant move to protect and preserve forest land, the Central Forest Division conducted a major operation to remove encroachments from the Heingang Reserve Forest led by Sadar East range forest officer (RFO), Sadar East, M Jobid Meitei, and Nongmaiching RFO S Robatson Singh.

During the operation, a total of 18 illegally constructed structures within the reserved forest were dismantled.

These constructions violated forest protection laws and posed a direct threat to the ecological integrity and biodiversity of the region.

The Forest Department, with support from Imphal East Police, conducted the operation smoothly and without incident.

In a statement following the operation, divisional forest officer (DFO) Vikram Nadhe reaffirmed the department's commitment to forest conservation.

Forest Department launches eviction drive

"Reserve forests are not only the lungs of our state but also a repository of our rich natural heritage.

Heingang Reserve Forest, in particular, is a treasure trove of biological diversity.

It is our collective responsibility to safeguard such vital ecosystems" .

DFO Nadhe also urged the public to refrain from encroaching on forest land and to respect legal boundaries.

He emphasised that forest protection is not only a legal obligation but a moral and ecological imperative.

"Preserving these forests ensures the ecological balance essential for our sustainable future," he added.

The removal of encroachments is seen as a vital step towards preserving the state's ecological security.

It ensures compliance with legal frameworks and helps maintain the ecological balance necessary for sustainable development.

Therefore, forest protection must be prioritised and strictly enforced, the DFO maintained.

According to RFO Jobid, the Heingang Reserve Forest, located on the eastern fringes of Imphal, plays a crucial role in maintaining the local microclimate, preventing soil erosion, and supporting diverse flora and fauna.

Its protection is integral to the region's environmental health and the well-being of future generations, he said, while pointing out that the crackdown underscores efforts to uphold the Indian Forest Act and other legal frameworks governing forest protection as well as warning to potential encroachers that illegal occupation of forest land will not be tolerated and will be met with strict enforcement action.

The Central Forest Division also reiterated that follow-up monitoring and enforcement will be conducted regularly to prevent re-en-croachment and ensure long-term protection of forest areas.

Surveillance and patrolling will be intensified in sensitive zones, and local communities will be engaged through awareness and outreach initiatives to foster community-led conservation efforts.

According to the Forest Department, this operation is part of its broader strategy to reclaim and restore forest lands that have been illegally occupied over the years.

The department has made it clear that such drives will continue in other areas, with zero tolerance towards encroachment.